Oriental Scenery/Part 6/Plate 17
No. XVII. Plans E.
DASAVATARA.
Dasavatara, or the temple of the ten incarnations of Vishnu, is very near to the foregoing excavation, and is marked by No. 9. in the margin of the second general view. In the ground plan, No. 1, was formerly the entrance into the area 2,2,2, but is now choked up. 3, Has been a very handsome square apartment, the ascent to the verandah of which, fronting the gateway, was by a handsome flight of steps beneath a portico, the roof of which has fallen in. 4, The principal apartment of the lower floor, fourteen feet high, quite plain throughout. 5, Recesses without sculpture, excepting that on the left of the entrance, which contains the Linga of Maha-Deva, and a triple-headed figure on the wall behind it. 6, A staircase leading to the upper story.
Cisterns for water have been made on both sides the area.
DASAVATARA, UPPER STORY.
a,a, A staircase. b, Landing-place. c,c, Dark rooms. d, The entrance to the principal apartment of the upper floor, e, which is eleven feet six inches in height. The pillars are square, and all plain, excepting the front row. Between the pilasters are niches containing mythological figures in basso-relievo, amongst which the Dasavatara, or ten incarnations, are conspicuous, they are arranged as follow:
No. 1, Vira-Badra. 2, Maha-Deva Nastik, with musicians and flying figures. 8, Maha-Deva altar and Linga. 4, Maha-Deva and Parvati playing at Choupers, the bull Nandi is underneath with children plaguing him. 5, The marriage of Maha-Deva and Parvati. 6, Maha-Deva and Parvati in heaven, supported by Ravana. 7, Maha-Deva risen from the Linga by the prayers of a Goswami, who is slaying Daita, an evil spirit, with his trident. 8, Maha-Deva and Parvati; at the feet of the former lay the heads of the five sons of Pandu. 9, Ganesa. 10, Parvati, with mace-bearers on each side. 11, The recess of Maha-Deva; on each side of the door are guards, and near them, lions and elephants. 12, Lakshmi. 13, Swami Kartika. 14, Narasingha bursting from the pillar, with other figures. 15, Rama Chandra drawing his bow; this figure is done with great spirit, standing in a war-chariot with four wheels, drawn by four horses abreast, galloping, with a driver in front. 16, A figure with eight arms standing on a Lotus, with cows and sheep behind him. 17, Krishna sleeping. 18, Garuda carrying Hanuman. 19, Maha-Deva altar and Linga. 20, Varaha Avatara trampling on Sesh, and going to devour a woman, whom he holds up in his left hand; his head is that of a boar with long tusks. 21, Malassur Daita, strutting with his left leg up, and a sword in his right hand. 22, Narasingha Avatara. 23, 24, Gigantic Dwara-Pala.
Das Avatara.