The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.98

v2.c17.98

The height of the temple from the paved court-yard to the top of the Kalasa is 160 feet, but as the floor of the temple is two feet lower than the courtyard and it is to be presumed that when the temple was built, the courtyard was lower than the floor, the total height originally must have been about 165 feet. It is not unlikely that formerly there was a chain or a rope descending from the base of the Kalasa to the ground whereby people could ascend to the top when required to renew the flag, or for casual repairs; but there is nothing of the kind now. I ascertained the height by taking angles from three different places; but, wishing also to test the accuracy of my calculations by actual measurement, I enquired if it was possible to send up a man to the top of the Tower with my measuring tape. The priest said it would not be respectful to do so; but if I would present a new flag, one of the temple servants would go and fix it on the staff, the charge for the person going up being Rs. 4. I agreed to this and the sight of a man ascending the stupendous height with no other help than the mouldings on the body and shaft of the Tower, was wonderful. With a rope and a measuring tape trailing from his waist, and the new flag—an entire piece of calico—over his head, he climbed with the agility of a monkey, and never faltered or hesitated for a moment. In descending he was even more expeditious; and I was told that there were several persons in the neighbourhood who could do the like with quite as much ease and expedition, and that to the knowledge of the oldest inhabitant of the place, there never had happended an accident.