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The Ashes of Ravana, interior view.

ASHES OF RAVANA.

‘XVIII and XIX. Plans E.’

The situation of this excavation is lower in the mountain than the last mentioned, and is marked by No. 10 in the margin of the second general view. The entrance is much decayed, two of the outer and one of the inner pillars of the veranda are fallen down: a, the area; b, steps leading down to a cistern of water. This temple consists of a hall with a veranda all round it; at the further end there is a recess for the idol, with a passage round that likewise; the pillars are very richly ornamented, and the walls exhibit a great profusion of sculpture. No.1, ‘Bhawani’, with her right foot lifted up and resting upon a lion. 2, ‘Saraswati’ seated on a pedestal composed of the lotus; on each side of her a male figure holding a water-pot, and over her head are two large water pots supported by the trunks of elephants. 3, ‘Varaha Avatara’ with four arms, attended by two mace-bearers, and two flying figures, holding in one of his left-hands ‘Lakshmi’, in one of his right a ‘Chakra’ or ‘Discus’; below him are three female figures, with the tails of serpents; on one of them he has placed his foot, the other two are in supplicating attitudes. 4, ‘Maha-Deva’, with four arms seated, Parvati on his right, ‘Ganga’ on his left, and four female attendants in the back ground; and on the pedestal are six small figures. 5, ‘Maha-Deva’ and ‘Parvati’, with female attendants; on the pedestal are seven children with musical instruments. 6 and 7, figures of ‘Lakshmi’, with attendants. 8, the figure of ‘Bhawani’, who has fallen from her pedestal, and lies on the floor; this tatue is nearly the size of life, 9 and 10, ‘Dwara-pala’ with small flying figures and dwarfs. 11, ‘Vira-badra’, his left foot is supported by a couchant elephant; ‘Ganesa’ is seen behind him; ‘Bhawani’ is seated on the left. ‘Raja Dutz’ and child, and the Covera Capella form part of the group. 12, ‘Maha-Deva’ and ‘Parvati’ in Paradise, supported by ‘Ravana’, who is represented with ten arms. 13, ‘Maha-Deva Nastika’, with ‘Lakshmi’ standing on the left. 14, ‘Maha-Deva’ with four arms, and ‘Parvati’ sitting on his left side; ‘Narada Rishi’ stands behind him; in the upper corner to the left is ‘Ganesa’ with an axe in his left-hand, two females and two ‘Chubdars’; in the lower part is ‘Nandi’ with twelve children playing about him and teazing him. 15, ‘Bhawani’ destroying ‘Daitya’.