The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.s1.241

v2.c17.s1.241

Another miracle, constantly dinned into the ears of the faithful is that the roar of the sea which is distinctly audible at a distance of five miles is never permitted to enter the precincts of the sacred enclosure, though it stands well within a mile of the sea. Close by the Sun Pillar the roar is loud and distinct but within the enclosure it is not audible; and this is attributed to the mandate of the divinity. The roar was so loud that it frightened the gentle lady Subhadrā and in very fear her hands shrank and contracted within her body. Her brother thereupon forbade the sea to send its roar within the temple. A more natural and simple solution of the miracle, however, is offered by the fact that the high walls round the enclosure intercept the waves of the sound and the din of the crowd within—the courtyard is at visiting times always densely crowded—drown whatever sounds come over them. Between 3 and 4 P. M., when there were no visitors and I was engaged in surveying the area, I and my companions heard the roar quite distinctly, though it did not strike me to be nearly so loud as it is outside the enclosure.