es of the Buddhists, would allow these hated heretics to
build temples within their possessions in general and on Gharipuri
in particular, this latter being an island consecrated to their Hindu
pagodas? It is not necessary to be either a specialist, an architect,
or an eminent archeologist, in order to be convinced at the first glance
that such temples as Elephanta are the work of Cyclopses, requiring
centuries and not years for their construction. Whereas in Karli
everything is built and carved after a perfect plan, in Elephanta it
seems as if thousands of different hands had wrought at different times,
each following its own ideas and fashioning after its own device. All
three caves are dug out of a hard porphyry rock. The first temple is
practically a square, 130 feet 6 inches long and 130 feet wide. It
contains twenty-six thick pillars and sixteen pilasters.

Between some of them there is a distance of 12 or 16 feet, between
others 15 feet 5 inches, 13 feet 3 1/2 inches, and so on. The same lack
of uniformity is found in the pedestals of the columns, the finish and
style of which is constantly varying.

Why, then, should we not pay some attention to the explanations of the
Brahmans? They say that this temple was begun by the sons of Pandu,
after "the great war," Mahabharata, and that after their death every
true believer was bidden to continue the work according to his own
notions. Thus the temple was gradually built during three centuries.
Every one who wished to redeem his sins would bring his chisel and set
to work. Many were the members of royal families, and even kings, who
personally took part in these labors.

On the right hand side of the temple there is a corner stone, a lingam
of Shiva in his character of Fructifying Force, which is sheltered by a
small square chapel with four doors. Round this chapel are many colossal
human figures. According to the Brahmans, these are statues representing
the royal sculptors themselves, they being doorkeepers of the holy of
holies, Hindus of the highest caste. Each of the larger figures leans
upon a dwarf representative of the lower castes, which have been
promoted by the popular fancy to the rank of demons (Pisachas).
Moreover, the temple is full of unskillful work. The Brahmans hold that
such a holy place could not be deserted if men of the preceding and
present generations had not become unworthy of visiting it. As to Kanari
or Kanhari, and some other cave temples,