Oriental Scenery/Part 5/Plate 3
No. III.
AN EXCAVATED TEMPLE ON THE ISLAND OF SALSETTE.
Salsette contains several of these extraordinary works. This View represents the entrance of the largest of the Hindoo Temples, and appears from some of the figures in the portico to have been dedicated to Booda. On each side the area, between the outer steps and the portico attached to the rock, is a large octangular pillar; on that to the right, above the capital, is a group of lions, from the centre of which, a few years since, arose the Chacra, or war disk of Vichnou, though not the least appearance of it at present remains. Above the capital, on the opposite pillar, are mythological figures in basso-relievo. In a small apartment to the left is seen an idol, apparently the Mahadeva, surmounted by an umbrella.
Near the steps on the broken wall, (which is also the original rock) are rows of bulls, preceded and followed by elephants. The Chacra of Vichnou, the Mahadeva, and the bulls, seem not to favour the opinion of its being a Temple of the Bhoods.
An excavated Temple on the island of Salsette.