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AN EARLY HISTORY OF ORISSA
are honey-combed with caves. The north-east mound is called the Udayagiri viz. The 'sunrising hill, and the other as the Khaņdagiri viz. the broken hill. These two hillocks or prominences are separated by a ravine scarcely 50 yards in its broadest part, but at the base the two portions touch each other. The highest point of the Khaņdagiri, on which is perched a modern Jaina temple, is 123 ft. The highest crest of Udayagiri is 13 feet lower.?
The substance of these hills is a kind of worm grey sandstone (or concrete stone) which is soft and porous, and is peculiarly well adopted for excavations. But from its coarse gritty character, it is not fit for finished sculpture.
Rock architecture appealed to the Indian mind for several reasons. In the first place, its stability, as it was as immovable as the mountain of which it formed a part, was undoubtedly an attraction to the people. Secondly, it was acceptable to the Jainas because from the earliest times natural caves and grottoes were the favourite abode of hermits and anchorites, a custom which even now survives. Such habitations were, therefore, not only associated with religion but had also the sanction of tradition. But the principal reason was the great increase in the conventual life of the country at this time. From ancient practice of asceticism, common from the later Vedic period, it was but a step to that of monasticism, a system which all the world over had induced its followers to retire into rocky fastnesses, forest recesses or lonely deserts ; there to dedicate their lives to the rare worship
1. R. L. Mitra,--Antiquities of Orissa, Vol. II, 1880.
2. These heights have been ascertained by a survey made by Mr. Beck for Mr. R. L. Mitra. The measurments were made from the Matha at the foot of the hills and not with reference to the sea level. (Antiquities of Orissa, Vol. II).
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