Page:Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol 7, Part 1.djvu/505

1838.] this cavern is an inscription (Fig. 2,) slightly scratched on a detached block of stone. The inscription (Fig. 1,) is roughly cut in a small cave (b) on the southern face.

" There are traces of other buildings having formerly existed on this and the adjoining hills, also in the cavities between them (m f) there is a fine temple dedicated to Ganesha and Mahadeva at the wes- tern cave of the hill, also ruins of several others, (g h.)

" Stone has been extensively quarried here for the different temples in the vicinity, and (I should venture to add) for Kamirak*. The Aswastama is situated on the northern face of the southernmost rock near its sum- mit ; the rock has been hewn and polished for a space of fifteen feet long by ten in height, and the inscription deeply cut thereon being divided into four tablets, the first of which appears to have been executed at a different period from the rest ; the letters are much larger and not so well cut. The fourth tablet is encircled by a deep line, and is cut with more care than either of the others.

" Immediately above the inscription is a terrace sixteen feet by fourteen (a) on the right side of which (as you face the inscription) is the fore half of an elephant, four feet high, of superior workmanship ; the whole is hewn out of the solid rock. There is a groove four inches wide by two in depth round three sides of the terrace, with a space of three feet left (a doorway ?) immediately in front of the elephant ; there are also two grooves, one on either side of the elephant on the floor and in the perpendicular face ; these must have been intended probably to fix a wooden canopy.

" There are also many broken caves in the rocks adjoining the Aswas- tama, and the foundations of many buildings ; one in particular immedi- ately above the inscription which may have been one of the chatyas or stupas mentioned in the inscription. The elephant does not seem to be an object of worship, though I was informed that one day in every year is appointed, when the brah- mins of the temples in the vicinity attend, and throw water on it, and besmear it with red lead in honor of Ganesha.

" There are five caves in a row on the high rock south of the elephant (c c c) called by some " Panch-pandav" and by others « Panch-gosain /' beside these caves (where there are traces of many others) there are numerous small holes like mortars, cut in the rock ; these were probably used to compound the drugs and medicines by the medical devotees mentioned in the inscriptions. Like cavities occur at the caves of Rhand- giri; some larger than the rest have been used as reservoirs.


 * The black pagoda.