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Page7
The
excavations of the garbhagriha right down to the sands clearly show that there is no
chamber underneath the idol chamber. It is just a narrow garbhagriha. There may have been
a cellar under the sabha mandapa. The gudha mandapa of this Third Temple shows distinct
signs of stone pillars.
According to Muslim writers,
the sanctuary wherein the idol stood was illuminated by jewelled chandeliers, and valuable
draped curtains were hung over the door way.10
The passage leading to it had standing posts all along for
those allowed the worshippers to enter the sanctum. In front of the sanctum there was
suspended a heavy chain of gold, 200 manns in weight, 11 with gold bells12 to announce the
appointed hours of worship.
10. Kamilu’t Tawarikh, Vol. IX, p. 241: Tahqiq
ma li’l-Hind of Al-Biruni (Sachau's English translation), p. 103.
11. According to H. C. Raverty one mann was equal to about two ratls (vide Journal of the
Asiatic Society of Bengal, Vol. LXI, Part I, for 1892, p. 192) and Steingass calls a ratl
equal to 1/2 maund (Persian-English Dictionary, pp. 579 and 1316).
12. Rauzatu's Safa, Persian text, Vol. IV, p. 41; Firishta describes the chain as hung in
a corner of the building. Tarikh-i- Firishta, Persian text.
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