The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c16.76

v2.c16.76

Adverting to the Rani Naur he says, "The sculptures and architectural ornaments on the outside have been dreadfully disfigured and cut away by its modern inhabitants to accommodate their rude additions," (p. 266). The disfigurement, as shown above, is due to age and climatic causes, and not to any irreverent iconoclastic hands; and I have no hesitation in saying that there is not the smallest ornamental addition of a modern date to this cave. Smoking the chambers and galleries by lighting fires within them, is the only addition of which the modern *byragis* who dwelt in the caves, can be declared guilty.