Page:The Rock-cut Temples of India.djvu/311



HE amount of sculpture, both historical and architectural, that covers every part of the Kylas adds immensely to the impressive but mysterious effect of the whole, and its variety is as remarkable as its quantity.

There are, for instance, two bas-reliefs, one on each side of the great Vimana, which are such as could only be executed by the patient Hindoo. The one here given represents Ravana's conquest of Ceylon. On the lower part, and at the right-hand side, the giant Ravana is seen defending his castle, and throughout the picture the Monkey God, Hunuman, with his army of monkeys, are seen lending their aid to their human allies: in the second lowest tier, bringing the rocks with which Adam's bridge is said to have been constructed in order to enable the invading army to pass from the continent to the island. 74