The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.s1.229

v2.c17.s1.229

The broad sides of the spire, which in the temples of Bhuvaneśvara have lions projecting, are here set off with bas reliefs representing scenes from the history of Viṣṇu’s different incarnations. On the south side Râma’s wars with the giant Râvaṇa form the subject. On the west, Kṛṣṇa’s frolics with the shepherdesses of Gokula appear as the prominent scenes. On the north, the coronation of Râma, Hanumân, Kṛṣṇa, Jagannâtha, four-handed Viṣṇu and other figures find places. Placed at a great height and covered with repeated layers of whitewash the figures, in low relief, were of doubtful appearance, and I could not satisfy myself whether they were carved on the stone of the spire when it was built or added afterwards in plaster. The spire is crowned with an iron discus which, it is said, was first put up by Śaṅkha Vâsudeva (A. D. 1337 to 1361) and subsequently renewed by Râmacandra Deva (A. D. 1578 to 1607).