Oriental Scenery/Part 6/Plates 18 and 19
Nos. XVIII. and XIX. Plans E.
ASHES OF RAVANA.
The situation of this excavation is lower in the mountain than the last mentioned, and is marked by No. 10, in the margin of the second general view. The entrance is much decayed, two of the outer and one of the inner pillars of the verandah are fallen down: a, the area; b, steps leading down to a cistern of water. This temple consists of a hall, with a verandah all round it; at the further end there is a recess for the idol, with a passage round that likewise; the pillars are very richly ornamented, and the walls exhibit a great profusion of sculpture. No. 1, Bhawani, with her right foot lifted up, and resting upon a lion. 2, Saraswati, seated on a pedestal composed of the lotus; on each side of her a male figure holding a water-pot, and over her head are two large water-pots supported by the trunks of elephants. 3, Varaha Avatara, with four arms, attended by two mace-bearers, and two flying figures, holding in one of his left hands Lakshmi, in one of his right a Chakra or Discus; below him are three female figures, with the tails of serpents; on one of them he has placed his foot, the other two are in supplicating attitudes. 4, Maha-Deva, with four arms seated, Parvati on his right, Ganga on his left, and four female attendants in the back ground; and on the pedestal are six small figures. 5, Maha-Deva and Parvati, with female attendants; on the pedestal are seven children with musical instruments. 6 and 7, Figures of Lakshmi, with attendants. 8, The figure of Bhawani, who has fallen from her pedestal, and lies on the floor; this statue is nearly the size of life. 9 and 10, Dwara-Pala, with small flying figures and dwarfs. 11, Vira-Badra, his left foot is supported by a couchant elephant; Ganesa is seen behind him; Bhawani is seated on the left. Raja Dutz and child, and the Covera Capella form part of the group. 12, MahaDeva and Parvati in Paradise, supported by Ravana, who is represented with ten arms. 13, Maha-Deva Nastika, with Lakshmi standing on the left. 14, Maha-Deva, with four arms, and Parvati sitting on his left side; Narada Rishi stands behind him; in the upper corner to the left is Ganesa, with an axe in his left hand, two females and two Chubdars; in the lower part is Nandi, with twelve children playing about him and teazing him. 15, Bhawani destroying Daitya.
The ashes of Ravana.
The ashes of Ravana, interior view.