The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t27.4

c6.s3.t27.4

From the monastery Hwen Thsang travelled to the south-east for 100 *li*, or 16 miles, to the Ganges, which he crossed, and then turning to the south for some unrecorded distance he reached the town of *Mo.ho.so.lo*, or *Mahâsára*. This place was inhabited by Brahmans who had no respect for the faith of Buddha. It has been identified by M. Vivien de Saint-Martin with the village of *Masár*, 6 miles to the west of *Ara* (Arrah of the maps), near which Buchanan discovered some ruined buildings, and a considerable number of Brahmanical figures.* The pilgrim then suddenly mentions his arrival at the temple of *Na-lo-yen*, or *Náráyana*, to the north of the Ganges, without stating either its distance or bearing from the last place. But with reference to his subsequent route to Vaisâli, I feel satisfied that he must have crossed the Ganges above Revelganj, which is nearly due north from *Masár* exactly 16 miles, or 100 *li*. This point, near the confluence of the Ganges and Ghâgra, is deemed especially holy, and numerous temples have been erected on the bank of the united streams just above Revelganj. Here then I would place the site of Hwen Thsang’s temple of Náráyana or Vishnu, which he describes as being two storeys in height, and adorned with the most marvellous sculptures in stone.