The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.s1.232

v2.c17.s1.232

**Dancing Hall.** As already stated the Dancing Hall is of a much later date than the temple and its porch is architecturally of quite a distinct character. It is a square room, measuring 69 x 67 feet in the inside, the outside measurement being a square of 80 feet. It is divided by four rows of pillars into a nave and two aisles on each side. The pillars are square and totally devoid of ornaments ; but they are not of the same size ; those of the two inner rows being 4 feet square by 16ft. 8 in., while the two outer rows are 3 ft. 6 in. by 12 ft. 8 in. The nave measures 69 x 16 ft. The two aisles adjoining 10 ft. 6 in. and the two outer ones 7 ft. 9 in. each. It would seem that originally the Hall had only one aisle on each side and the pillars were 14 ft. 9 in. ; the second row was subsequently added to widen the room and additions made to the pillars to raise the height. The walls are perfectly bare, both outside and inside, and the only ornament in the room are two alto-rilievo human figures armed with clubs, called Jayā and Vijayā, and standing as guardians at the entrance to the Bhoga Maṇḍapa and a small pedestal on the east side of the nave, on which is placed a marble figure of Garuḍa. The figure is of the usual type and 2 feet high. Close by on the east wall there is also a painting in oil colours, representing two mounted cavaliers with a milkmaid standing before them and bearing a tray on her head. The story runs that Puruṣottama Deva, having been defeated in battle by the Rājā of Conjeveram, sought the aid of Jagannātha. The god not only promised assitance but volunteered ‘to take the command of the expedition in person. When the Rājā had arrived during the progress of his march at the site of the village now called Mānikpatam he began to grow anxious for some visible indication of the presence of the deity. In the midst of his cogitations on the subject a milkmaid or *guālin* named Mānika came up and displayed a ring which, she said, had been entrusted to her to present to the monarch of Orissa by two handsome cavaliers mounted the one on a black and the other on a white horse, who had just passed to the southward. She also related some particulars of a conversation with them which satisfied the Rājā that the promise of assistance would be fulfilled and that these horsemen were no other than the brothers Śrī Jeo (Kṛṣṇa) and Baldeo (Baladeva). Full of joy and gratitude he directed the village to be in future called, after his fair informant, Mānikpatana and marched onwards to the Dakhan secure of success’⁵². The picture represents the interview between the cavaliers and the fair milkmaid. The topic of their conversation, it is said, was such as would be natural among gay cavaliers and a handsome young maiden.