The Jumna-Mesgid is quadrangular, 140 paces by 120; round the inside of the inclosing wall runs a gal lery, having its roof supported by 34 pillars. The tem ple itself stands upon 44 pillars, ranged in couples; the pavement is marble; in the middle of the front arc three large gateways. On the sides are two gateways ; each gate has a sort of pilaster : the Minarets are Mahome dan.
The pagoda of Baswara, or Bczoara, now a fort on the Vistnu river, is not inclosed by walls, but stands upon 52 lofty columns, with statues of Indian deities standing between them; it was placed in the midst of an oblens court, which was surrounded by a gallery, supported by 66 pillars. (See Tavernier.) 4. The fourth kind are in the form of a cross. The most noted is that of Benares, in the city of Casi, on the banks of the Ganges, down to which there is a flight of steps. This, from the earliest period of history, has been devoted to Hindu religion and science. The form of the temple is that of a great cross, with a cupola in the centre, which, towards the top, takes a pyramidal form. At the extremity of each branch of the cross, which are of equal length, there is a tower with balco nies, to which the access is on the outside. Within the temple, immediately under the central cupola, there is an altar, eight feet in length, and six in breadth, covered sometimes with tapestry, sometimes with cloth of gold and silver. Tavernier saw several idols, one, in particu lar, six feet high, having its neck decorated with a chain of precious stones; the head and neck only were visible ; the body was covered with a robe. On the right of the altar was a golden figure, composed of an elephant, a horse and a mule; upon this the deity journeyed on his guardian care of mankind. in this pagoda was also an idol of black stone, or Sammena codom. Aurengzebe polluted this temple.
Mattra, the Methora of Pliny, 18 miles from Agra, .on the road to Delhi, is the birth-place of the beneficent god Chreeshna. The pagoda is constructed of the same stone as Delhi, and stands upon a very extensive octago nal platform of hewn stone. This platform is ascended by two flights of stone steps, which lead to the grand portal, composed of pillars with the usual sculptures. The pa goda is in the form of a cross, with a lofty cupola in the centre, and two others nearly similar on each side. The sanctuary is separated by a balustrade, behind which only priests are admitted. In the sanctuary is a square altar,
16 feet in height, covered with gold and silver brocade, and here stands the god Ram Rain; the head only is visi ble, and appears of black marble, with two large rubies for eyes; the body is covered with a robe of purple vel vet.
5. Of those which are of a circular form, Sonnerat thinks that Juggernaut is the most ancient in India, and says that the Brahmins attribute it to the first king on the coast of Orissa, 4800 years. Its plan is a perfect cir cle, of immense size. Juggernaut is said to be only ano ther name for the god Mahadco, who is represented by the figure of a large bull, which projects out of the eas tern side of the edifice: the image of Juggernaut stands in the centre of the building, upon an elevated altar, sur rounded by an iron railing. Mr Hamilton describes the idol as being an irregular pyramidal black stone, and the temple deriving light only from 100 lamps. He compares the edifice to a great butt set on end. This place is the residence of the Arch-Brahmin of all India, and the sa cred dominions arc said to yield pasturage for 20,000 cows. See Buchanan's Christian Researches.
Besides these, hich are offered as specimens of the different forms of Hindu temples, there is one more which our general views of the matter require to be no ticed. The Ayeen Akbery relates, that near to Jugger naut is the temple of the Sun, in constructing which, the whole revenue of the Orissa was, for 12 years, wholly expended; that the wall which surrounds the whole is 150 cubits high, and 19 cubits thick; that there are three entrances; at the eastern gate are two elephants, each with a man on his trunk ; on the west are two figures of horsemen, completely armed; and over the northern gate, are two tygers sitting upon two dead elephants. In front of the gate is a pillar of black stone, of an octagonal form, 50 cubits high. After ascending nine flights of steps, there is an extensive inclosure, with a large cupola, constructed of stone, and decorated with sculptures of the sun and stars, surrounded by a horde'', composed of a variety of human figures, some kneeling, some prostrate with their faces on the earth, and some representing minstrels, also a number of imaginary animals. But of this splendid temple, so minutely described in the Ayeen Akbcry, not a vestige is now to be found.