The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c18.76

v2.c18.76

The oldest monument extant at Yājapur is the Daśāśvamedha Ghāṭ, on the right bank of the Vaitaraṇī. It is the site, according to some, of Brahmā's horse-sacrifice, and according to others that of the same rite celebrated by Yayāti [158] Keśarī. The latter would be the most probable supposition ; but the *Temple Records* are entirely silent on the subject. Anyhow the worn-out appearance of the stone steps of which the Ghāṭ is formed affords unquestionable evidence of its age and obviously it is undisguised by any modern addition. It was originally flanked by a substantial revetment on each side, but it is now very much dilapidated and barely traceable. The revetments were provided with ornamented stumps for fastening boats and remains of these are still recognizable. These show that the river, which is now a bed of sand, once flowed flush with the revetment, and boats could, and did, come close to the Ghāṭ.