Page:Report of a Tour Through the Bengal Provinces of Patna, Gaya, Mongir and Bhagalpur; The Santal Parganas, Manbhum, Singhbhum and Birbhum; Bankura, Raniganj, Bardwan and Hughli in 1872-73.djvu/162

138 attaches to them as the objects of reverence to thousands of pilgrims.

The objects of reverence here may be divided into three groups:—


 * (1) The group of temples in Baijnâth.
 * (2)   at Harlajhuri.
 * (3) The caves, &c., at Tapoban.

The remains at Baijnâth consist of several detached temples in various parts of the city, and of the great group of temples within an enclosure near the east end of the city.

The former consist generally of single cells of various, but none of ancient, periods; they are of various styles and built of a variety of materials, among which the materials of former temples make a prominent figure. There is nothing of interest in or about them, and they may be dismissed without further notice.

There is, however, one object that must be excepted: this is a great gateway consisting of two pillars spanned by an architrave; this is clearly the remains of some great ancient temple, which has entirely disappeared, leaving its outer gateway alone standing. I infer it to have been an outer gateway from its resemblance in all essentials to the great outer gateway of the temple at Pathâri in Central India; like it, it stands entirely isolated, and although the pillars are plain rectangular ones, and have not the elaborate sculpture and the graceful statues that adorn the example at Pathâri, there is nevertheless about it an air of impressiveness that takes it out of the common place. I could not obtain access to it, but was obliged to content myself with a distant view; it is situated in a small raised spot entirely surrounded by private huts; at present it is known as the hindola, or swing, and at a certain festival the statue of Krishna is brought and made to swing beneath it.

The great group of temples is enclosed within a paved courtyard by high walls. There are four entrances to it; the principal one is to the west, and a similar one is on the north. Of the two minor ones, one is on the north and one on the east. Within the enclosure, which is an irregular quadrilateral, is a fine octagonal wall. The number and disposition of the various temples may be seen from the plate.

From a study of the plans of the temples (vide plate) it will be evident that of all the temples that now exist, there is not a single one which can be considered as old, or if old,