Zed RH wanted to check out an old temple on the way to Kandalama. Apparently there was something interesting about it.
The walk to the temple was through a broad archway of overhanging branches. There was a lot of brown – sand, tree trunks and dusty brown-green leaves. And brown monkeys, darting between. It felt more like a forest than a temple. Except for the smattering of people dressed in white – middle aged women, men, and giggling teenagers. Also in white. The teenagers were bit of a surprise.
“Machang, where is that carving?” One young teenage boy to another, amidst giggles.
The stone frame of the old doorway still stood at the entrance of the premises. Through it, more sand and stone masonry – a tiered stone structure, rising upwards, carvings on all sides, laced with green moss and age.
The stone carvings varied – rows of figures, squat sentries, fat faces.
On the right there was a well-trodden pathway that led upto one side of the wall, to one spot, to one carving. Three small stone figures, each bent over the other in a row, in a very cheekily suggestive pose.
The two teenage boys were now hovering around this carving. More laughter, and calls to the rest of the group.
Why only that stone carving, of this kind, there? Were the rest washed away?
Or was it an errant teenage stone carver of many centuries back, having a bit of mischievous fun, chipping away at cheeky stone figures? Maybe he too called to his mates, and they too laughed, some centuries ago?
Hopefully, perhaps.
