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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
a tiny stone building of great age, said to be over 1,000 years old, and to have been repaired 400 years ago. It contains but two images, one of Vishnu, and another of a female and a bearded male figure, both well executed in white marble. These were covered with paint and offerings. A marble Nandi stands outside. There are a few inscriptions cut on the doorposts, and a ruined bdali under the temple.
Rishi Krishna (Rukhi Kishn):-These temples are at the foot of the hill on the southeastern side, and are worth a visit if one does not mind a fatiguing journey of 12 or 14 miles or more. The road is a rugged track not difficult to lose-in fact a guide is a necessity. The temple is in good repair, though ruins of other buildings surround it. The principal shrine is of white marble, and the saint is, as usual, locked up out of sight. The Mahant was absent, and his Cheld, a perfectly naked youth of some sixteen years of age, either could not, or would not, give us any information about the place. Facing the shrine of the saint, and under a well-carved stone dome supported on white marble pillars, stands an image of Garuda in the form peculiar perhaps to Rajputana. It is executed in the purest white marble-such as all the images on the hill are made of. The inscription on the base is so worn as to be illegible. On the step leading into the shrine is the only readable inscription, of which the following is a transcript :
ग
[SEPTEMBER, 1873.
of very ancient ruins, which I had not time to examine. Here also may be seen the stone over which, as local tradition avers, after the flood, all the animals extant walked, leaving their footprints on the surface. Pilgrims visiting the shrine roll over this stone seven times. This has the effect of preventing their transmigration after death into the form of any of the animals that passed over the place. It would be interesting to trace the source of this legend, but, the Mahant being absent, we were fain to return in ignorance. It is said there was formerly a very large city here, and this is in a measure confirmed by the quantities of large bricks scattered over a great area on all .sides, but the jungle is so thick that, unless accompanied by a guide.
Achalgarh and Achaleśvara are distant from the station of Abu about six miles by the road and four by the footpath, which however cannot be taken even by mules. The road passes near the village of Uriya, just outside which are the ancient temples of Nandesvara, containing one or two images and an inscription. The first temple reached at Achaleśvara is a Jaina one on the right side of the path, surrounded by a wall and approached by a flight of steps. Its exterior is the finest piece of workmanship, as far as detail is concerned, on Abu. The lowest line of figures over the base, is one of elephants standing out in bold relief with trunks joined one with another. Above this come tigers couchant, then processions of various figures, animals, and cartssome drawn by bullocks and others by camels. Above these are groups of wrestlers in various attitudes, and dancing figures, beautifully executed. None of these groups exceed eight inches in height: but above the wrestlers come larger detached figures, mostly female, in every possible attitude and form. Those on the south side are the most perfect; the north side being exposed to the weather, the figures are much worn away. The temple is built of a coarse description of white marble, now quite grey from exposure. It appeared to be perfectly devoid of internal ornamentation. I could find no inscription or date. Between this and the Agni Kund is a small temple dedicated to Siva, but containing nothing
||समत१९१३राचेतरसुद९रवीदने जालीदार तथाक्यारादाराजोरी२ सादभगवानदासजी निरानिक मा नंदी gemisgeanceetabindagare
|| सवत १९१२ रासरावण सुद २२ सुक्र सोमपुरानताकर
There are a few others on one of the pillars, but they are modern in character and date. .There are several small shrines within the enclosure containing the usual figures of Mahâdeva, the Lingam, Gapesa, &c., but nothing worth noticing besides. Outside the temple is a magnificent banyan tree, the largest on or near the hill by all accounts, and to the north of this, some hundred yards off, is a small blook
Achalefvara is in Lat. 24° 87 N., and Long. 72°48+ E., and about 4 miles north-east in a direct line from the sta tion. Gara Sikar lies well to the north of it in Lat. 24 89 N., Long. 79° 49′ E.-ED.
+This inscription, which is in good preservation, is dated
B. 1265 (A.D. 1288). It is translated by Prof. Wilson in the Asiatic Researches (vol. XVI. pp. 299-801). Good heelball rubbings of this and many other inscriptions have been sent me by Mr. Eaglesome, a few of which I have inserted in this article, and in the NOTE on next page.-ED.
