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52
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
regular masses. The circumference of the talav, as measured by a perambulator, is 4 furlongs 40 yards. Three sides of it are covered with trees and jungle; the fourth embraces the south-eastern base of the mountain, which is cut away in a sloping direction.
A stone channel or watercourse, formed from a natural fissure in the rock, runs in a direction from NW. to SE. along the centre of the hill, which it divides into two parts. The sides of this channel are very steep, and formed of hard black rock, having a coal-like appearance resembling the crater of a volcano: the channel itself is deep and hollow. From this channel, in the rainy season, a torrent of water pours down, and is discharged into the tank in the plain celow. It is called by the natives Patalakandara, ad perfectly answers to the description of that place, as detailed by the learned Wilford in the Asiatic Researches; though he has applied the circumstances to the neighbourhood of Raimahál, and the Motijhorna, or pearl cascade at that place.
The mountain Mandara, though in its general features, barren and rugged, is yet occasionally interspersed with trees and jungle growing out of the fissures on its rocky base and sides.
(Nov. 24). The ascent to Mandara is by a winding road or staircase cut in the rock, with landing-places of rock at intervals. Near the first staircase is a small stone image of the bull Nandi, not badly executed: the head is broken. About 300 yards from the foot of the hill is a heap of ruins, apparently the remains of a small temple. Adjoining to this the second staircase, consisting of 67 steps, continues the ascent. All these stairs are excavated from the rock, 3 feet 7 inches in length and 1 foot 8 inches in breadth. On the right hand of the second flight is a colossal figure of Mahákált cut in the rock. The goddess is bestriding a demon, whom she has subdued in combat: she is armed with a battle-axe in one hand and a sword in the other, and has three faces and ten arms, with a mála or necklace of human skulls.
A short distance from this place, continuing the ascent, you meet with a sight extremely beautiful: a natural cascade, which issuing from the spring called Sitá Kunda, flows over the black and rugged surface of the rock, and discharges itself into the Patala Kandara, or channel below, from whence it is conveyed to the taláv of 'Pouphur at the foot of the mountain. From this place you ascend the third range of stairs, being a flight of 39 steps, and presently after, the fourth which has 101 steps, and then a fifth of 35 steps; the whole forming, as it were, a magnificent natural ladder.
[FEB. 2, 1872.
remains of small temples, to be visited by the pilgrims in progressive ascent to that on the summit. From the last landing place the Chir Nala on the left bore E., the river Chandan on the right W., the mountain Mandara being in the centre between the two. From hence you proceed up the sixth range of stairs 11 in number, when, turning round a corner to the N. W., you come to a beautiful enclosure of mango trees, and behold the cistern called Sita Kunda, or well of Sità, being a square enclosure faced on three sides with large stones, the scarp of the rock forming the fourth, and containing sweet and transparent water. This water, issuing from apertures in the rock, flows down the side of the mountain, and is finally discharged into the talav at the bottom, and from the brightness of its appearance it may truly be called a moti jhorna, or pearl-dropping spring. Here the scenery is romantic and picturesque, the green and flourishing trees forming a most remarkable contrast to the black and barren rock near which they grow.
In our road up we observed many images and fragments of stone lying scattered on each side of the way, the latter appearing to be the
Soo Astatic Res. vol. V.
A short distance from Sitá Kunda is another well or cistern, called 'Sunkur Kunda, of a triangular shape, cut between two parts of the rock, which divides at this place. On the side of this cistern future travellers may recognise a figure of Shankha cut in the rock. Close to Shankha Kunda commences the seventh series of stairs, consisting of 23 steps, after passing which you come to the well or cistern called Lakshman Kunda, or well of Lakshman.† This is situated in a nook of the rock to the eastward; beyond which, by an ascent of 37 steps, you are conducted to the summit of the mountain and the Musudan Math (or temple) dedicated to Mahadeva. The Patal Kandara, or channel, so frequently mentioned, runs along the north-west side of this temple, and preserves the same features as at the bottom of the mountain, vis. a deep rugged channel of coal-black rock, of volcanic appearance. Here a magnificent prospect bursts upon the view; the whole range of hills in the Jangal Terai extending from S.E. to N.W., the Chandan river and its numerous arms or nalás, and the dark and impervious forests stretching towards the south as far as the eye can reach, altogether form a picture that at once contributes to warm the imagination and to elevate the mind. Though we viewed the prospect to disadvantage, the weather being hazy, yet the coup-d'œil made an impression on our minds that will not be easily eradicated. Descending from the summit we returned to Shankha Kunda, and from thence proceeded to view some figures cut in the rock on the north-west side of the hill; their appearanee was singular. After descending a range of 16 steps, we entered the rocky bed of a watercourse,
† See note p. 53.
