The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c16.57

v2.c16.57

To the right of the left side figure, at the angle where the north wing joins the western range, and projecting a little from the corner of the verandah, there is a small chamber 2' 6" square, with two doors, one opening towards the west, and the other toward the south, both set flush with the level of the courtyard. The sides of these doors are most sumptuously carved. The pier to the right of the front doorway has a curious piece of sculpture representing a hill of many peaks or boulders, with several caves in which are seen figures of elephants in different attitudes, of a bird very like an owl in the centre, of a snake, of some fruits and of a man, but so mutilated as not to admit of being made out as to what he is engaged in (A. 12). The appearance of these carvings and ornaments would seem to indicate that the room was intended as the repository of some relic or sacred image. There is, however, no trace now of any such object in it, and the room looks very like a porter's lodge. The roof of this chamber is lower than that of the verandah aforesaid.