The Rock-cut Temples of India/The Caves of Ellora/Dus Avatara—Ellora
DUS AVATARA.—ELLORA.
THE third of these caves is called the Dus Avatara, after the ten Avatars of Vishnu; is a two-storied cave, very like the other two in architectural detail and arrangement, but essentially Hindoo in its sculptures.
The upper storey is a splendid hall, measuring 100 feet each way; the roof supported by 44 pillars spaced equally over the floor, but in lieu of the cells of a Vihara, there is a group of sculpture between each pilaster. On the left hand, all the groups are to the honour of Siva and Parvati; and in the sanctuary, in the centre of the inner wall, is his emblem, the Lingam. On the right hand everything is Vishnave, a curious instance of these two religions—which afterwards became so antagonistic—occupying one temple, as there can be no doubt but that these sculptures formed part of the original decorations. The whole of them are in the very best style of Hindoo sculpture, perhaps superior as a whole to anything else either here or elsewhere.