The Narrative of a Journey to the Temples and Dwellings - Excavated out of a Mountain of Granite, and Extending Upwards of a Mile and a Quarter, at Elora, in the East Indies, by the Route of Poona, Ahmed-Naggur, and Toka, Returning by Dowlutabad and Aurungabad : With Some General Observations on the People and Country. While vast literature has been produced on the obscure antiquities of Greece, Rome and Egypt, the wonderful caverned temples of Elora in Western India are even now known only to a very small section of informed students of history: this, with the exception of one or two inadequate accounts available here and there. According to John B. Seely, no monuments of antiquity in the known world are comparable to the caves of Elora, whether one considers their unknown origin, their stupendous size, the beauty of their architectural ornaments, or the vast number of statues and emblems, all hewn and fashioned out of the solid rock. Artistes and craftsmen have shown their creativity in various periods of history in different parts of the world. But the discovery of the caves of Elora brought unprecedented glory to the ancient artistes who created the marvellous pieces of art. The enthusiasm of Indians on these artistic treasures is unbound. Poems have been inspired by the magical impact of these temples and caves, they have served as the backdrop to man a celebrated novel in different languages, innumerable dance sequences have been choreographed bringing to life the whole tradition enshrined into the caves : more recently, exponents of other media have based their creations on the Elora arts. Seely, who made his own discovery of Elora from a route through Poona, Ahmednagar and Toka, trekked back via Daulatabad and Aurangabad. Apart from the mysteries of the cave treasures and temples, the book also makes observations on the people and area covered during the author's trip.

Table of Contents:
1. Regret at Departure 2. Departure 3. Quit Panwell 4. Mahratta Music 5. Arrival at Poona 6. Entrance to the Temple of Keylas 7. Arrangement for Residing in Keylas 8. Sir William Jones 9. Arched temple of Visvacarma 10. Northern Range of Temple 11. Temple of Indra 12. Temple of Hymen, or Januwassee 13. Worship of Stones 14. Siva's Koond 15. Departure to Aurangabad 16. Native Cities 17. Gardens and Reservoirs 18. Popular Notions 19. Paan Sooparee 20. Texts and References 21. Missionary Schools 22. Hindoo Penances 23. Native Teachers 24. Female Tenderness, Fortitude, and Affection 25. Great Britain