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Oriental Scenery/Part 5/Plate 7

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2286679Oriental Scenery — Fifth Series, Plate 7Thomas Daniell and William Daniell

No. VII.

THE ENTRANCE TO THE ELEPHANTA CAVE.

The Elephanta Cave, generally so called by Europeans, is an excavated Temple of the Hindoos in a small island about six miles from Bombay. This view represents the principal entrance facing the north; it has also other openings to the east and west. According to the measurement of Mr. Wm. Daniell, the author's nephew, who accompanied him on all his excursions in India, its dimensions are one hundred and thirty feet in length, one hundred and ten feet in breadth, and sixteen feet in height. The ceiling appears originally to have been supported by thirty-two detached pillars, forming nine iles in length, and five in breadth, exclusive of the verandah, or portico, at the entrance, and of the recess on the side opposite, containing the Trimourte, or triple-headed idol; several of the pillars however are now destroyed.

The entrance to the Elephanta Cave.