History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v1.c19.s5.11

v1.c19.s5.11

principal temple, were the river goddesses Gangâ and Yamunâ; and this chapel was dedicated to the trio—Sarasvatî, Gangâ, and Yamî or Yamunâ—the first, on the left, standing on a lotus flower, with foliage and birds behind her; the central one on a *makara* or conventionalised alligator; and the third on a tortoise, with water plants represented behind them, and richly-carved torans above. All three are in almost entire relief. These figures are scarcely found in later sculptures, whilst they are frequent in cave temples of the 5th and later centuries. The apartment is about 23½ ft. long by 9 deep, and 11 ft. high, and has two free-standing pillars and two in antis, of a pattern differing entirely from those of the temple, but of a much earlier type than those in the Lankeswara. They have low bases and shafts of sixteen sides, with cushion capitals and bracket abaci. The frieze above has been divided into small compartments, with seven small groups of figures in them. The excavation above has only the front of its balcony completed.