Jaina Temples of Western India

SR No.: 006730
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Harihar Singh
Publisher: P V Research Institute Varanasi
Publication Year: 1982
Total Pages: 362
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 27 MB

Page 130

Description of Temples
113
there is formed a continuous chain of kolas all along the three sides of a square, dividing thus its around. The corner of the central lama and the entire area in a square central nave and the side side space between the corner lämās are filled with aisles. Six of these pillars on each side, together pieces of creepers issuing from the mouth of kirtti- with two pillars of the mukhamandapa form mukhas. This considerably enhances the beauty of an octagon and support a shallow but beautithe ceiling. Like the preceding ceiling the edges fully wrought domical ceiling on an octagonal frame of the kolas here also are decorated with lotus of architraves. Eight of these pillars are of the petals. This is one of the handsomest ceilings of octagonal type, while the other two are of the the nābhicchanda order.
square order. The ceilings in the southeast and southwest
The two square pillars, forming the octagon on corners are alike. Rectangular on plan they are
the north side, have their corners chamfered into ksipta vitāna of the nābhicchanda order (Fig. 30). Each
three angles. Each of these pillars consists of four ceiling is composed of three receding courses, the first
components, viz. pedestal, base, shaft and capital. being octagonal and the others, circular. The inner
The pedestal is made up of a bhitta, jad yakumbha, face of the octagonal course is relieved with figures
karyika, antarapatra and a plain patrika. The base conof a kāyotsarga Jina, Ācāryas, Gandharvas, Vidya
sists of a khura, kumbha carrying a niched lalitasana dharas and elephants with upraised trunks, while
goddess on each of the four faces, kalaša, antarapatra, it underside depicts a kirttimukha at each corner
and kapota adorned with caitya-arch pattern. Like and a frieze on each of its shorter sides. The frieze
the shaft of the square pillars of the mukhamandapa, represents a procession of warriors on the one side,
the shaft of these pillars also is divided into four a lalitäsana goddess with worshippers, Sārdalas and
sections. The square section carries framed figuwarriors on the other. The second is an eight-foil
res of two or four-armed male dancers, musicians kola, carrying kirttimukhas on the triangular spaces
and Pratihāras on the four faces. The octagonal and Vidyadharas on the points; the edges of kola
section bears eight figures of two-armed female are carved with lotus petals. The third is a qua
dancers. The sixteen-sided section is plain. The trefoil kola bearing similar decorations as we find
circular section is divided into three horizontal in the preceding course. The ceiling is closed up
belts. The lower belt is plain. The middle belt shows on the top by a circular kola.
four projecting lambanas and decoration of chainPlaced against the wall of the gūdhamandapa and and-bells alternating with tassels. The upper one, flanking its northern door are two khattakas, now which is equal to the size of the two combined, empty, except for the parikara carrying an inscri
carries a band of kirttimukhas spewing pearl chains ption of 1091 A.D. The triratha pedestal of each that are secured below by a band of diamonds and khattaka consists of a khura, kumbha decorated with beads. The capital has a double-course round half diamonds, kalata and padma. The wall is plain bharani of karnika and padma, surmounted by fiveand is crowned by a ribbed awning and a double- armed double-roll brackets bearing a figure of course ud gama. In front of each khattaka is a scall- Kinnar on the side face of each arm. oped toraņa-arch thrown between the pillars of the side bays. The arch issues from the mouth of a
The octagonal pillars (Fig. 32) are similar to makara treated as an impost inserted into the pillar the square ones, but here the kumbha of the octagoand meets in the centre of the underside of the nal base is decorated with half diamonds, and the architrave. It is punctuated with a row of Gand
shaft is octagonal at the base, sixteen-sided in the harvas and carries pendants at the points of cusps
middle and circular on the top, the last section, and lotus scrolls in between on the lower edge and
edge and separated from the one below by a kumuda, alone saw-tooth pattern on the upper.
showing carvings which include, in addition to
those seen on the square pillars, a band of GandhaRangamapdapa
rvas. Besides, the corner pillars are crowned by The rangamand apa, laid out on the floor of the four-armed brackets, the side face of each arm of jagati, consists of ten tall, ornate pillars disposed which is adorned with half kirttimukha or creeper,
15