BURABUR hills are isolated rocks of sienitic granite rising abruptly from the plain about 15 miles north of the city of Gaya, by the left bank of the Phulgo or Mahanadi. The highest is called Berabur, also Sidheswar, from a temple to Mahadeva that once crowned its heights. The next in height is the Kowa Dol, which is near a mile to the south-west. A third is called Nagar juni, and is the easternmost of the great cluster. A fourth, and the smallest, called Durhawut, is at the northern extremity ; others also have names, but the above alone contain objects of notice. The Kowa Dol is an almost entirely bare rock, having nearly a perpendicular scarp on its northern face, and sloping at an angle of 45° more or less on the opposite or southern side; east and west, it is disjointed and inaccessible; huge stratified masses are piled one over the other, decreasing in length at each end. The whole is surmounted by single blocks like pillars, the centre one of which towers above the rest, and is conical. It is said that formerly there was a huge block balanced on the top of this cone, which, from its being moved by birds alighting on it, obtained the name of Kowa Dol, or crow-moved, or the crow swing ; about the eighteenth century, this rocking stone fell down to where it may still be seen. The caves of Burabur are seven in num ber,—four in one hill, three to another; but the name Satgarba, commonly understood to mean seven chambers, is applied to two only.
In the hollow or recess on the east side are the remains of a once splendid Buddhist temple, of which many pillars are still standing; also a gigantic figure of Buddha seated. The Si uliasun or throne is very handsome: there are the usual supporters, the Sinha or lions rampant, trampling on elephants couchant, and ridden by amazons armed with shields and swords. 60 or 80 figures
are rudely cut in the huge detached masses of rock at the foot of the hill. There is one block hewn into the shape of a small temple, with niches and images on the four sides. First niche, from proper right, male figure erect with a spear; 2d, female figure, Pudmavati or Maya den; 3d, Buddha seated ; 4th, Maha'leva and Parvati, commonly called Gouri Sunkur, Parvati seated on Mahadeva's knee, with the bull Nandi at his feet, and the Siuha or lion at hers; 5th, male figure erect with four arms ; 6th, male figure carried on the shoulders of another ; 7th, the Lingam and Yoni; 8th, male half figure, Aruba? 9th, Mahadeva and Parvati repeated ; 10th, male figure erect holding a lotus in each hand, probably Surya ; llth, Ganesha ; 12th, female figure with four arms, attended by Nandi and Sinha; 13th, male figure standing on a prostrate figure. After these, nine niches have what appears to be Durga slaying Mahesh-Asur with her trident ; she has one foot on the buffalo's neck, and holds it by the bind leg. This subject is repeated on many detached rocks. The Linga is of as frequent occurrence. There is one very large four-faced Linga, called the Chounrti Mahadeva, such as may be gi seen in the caves of Ellora ; it is of common occurrence in this district. The inscriptions are in Pali, in the old Pali character.—Capt. Kittoe, Benq. As. Soc. Jo., clxxviii., 1847.