The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c16.s2.65.2

v2.c16.s2.65.2

One of the piers of the front wall has fallen down, causing thereby two contiguous doorways to coalesce into one. The mouldings round the doors are of the Udayagiri type with arched tops and intervening frieze, but the pilasters are richer and more elaborately carved (see Plate XXIV, D.3). The frieze is in five compartments corresponding with the five piers of the front wall, but one of the five is lost by the destruction of one of the piers. Beginning, therefore, with the next compartment, on the left side, we have two human figures in a running or flying position, one proceeding to the left and the other to the right. They are dressed in *dhuti* and *chādara*, the ends of which are flying in the air. Their heads are enveloped in large heavy turbans; on their wrists there are bangles; and massive rings are pendant from their ears. Each of them carries a tray of offerings in his left hand, the right hand being left free. The band of the arch to the right of these figures is in its general character similar to those of the Queen's Palace and Gaṇeśa Caves. It is formed of two fillets enclosing a line of ornamental figures. The first object at the spring of the arch is a stout athlete in a kneeling posture, over whom stands a man holding back, by its two hind legs, a lion running forward towards a man, who is busy tussling with an enraged bull, which he has caught by the left horn, and is about to strike it with an uplifted stick in his right hand.