The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c16.52

v2.c16.52

**Rani Naur, Right Wing :—** On the east side, facing the south-west, there was formerly a flight of steps leading to the upper storey, but there are now only a few traces of it, and the visitor has to scramble over bare rocks and scattered loose stones. When the steps existed, they were probably exposed and unprotected from the inclemencies of the weather, at least no trace is now visible of any room which enclosed it. The ground floor on this side, facing the west, has a raised plinth of about 2′ 6″. Over it there once was a range of four pillars, two of which are still *in situ*. The pillars are divided into five sections each, of which the basal, terminal and central sections are square, and the intermediate ones octagonal, the corners of the square shaft being there chamfered (Illustration No. 1) to give them a finished moulded appearance. They measure six diameters in length, and have neither bases nor capitals. The verandah formed by these pillars is 19 feet long, and 6½ feet broad, with an average height of 7 feet. The ceiling here, as elsewhere, is slightly arched, the rise in the centre being about six inches. The object of this arching was to add to the strength of the roofs, and at the same time to prevent leakage in the middle. The whole surface is cut smooth and there is nothing like ribs, beams or rafters to be anywhere seen. This peculiarity is worthy of special note, as it demonstrates most clearly that in the formation of the ceiling, the architect did not imitate any wooden model, and what is true of this verandah is likewise true of all the other caves in Udayagiri.⁵