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 150

Description of Temples
133
Indra to the right and fśāna to the left of the goddess. The return side of the karna is occupied by a female dancer or musician. The devakulika is crowned by a Sikhara which is now plastered up with lime.
Compared to the exterior, its interior is more ornate. The two pillars are of the square type, with corners chamfered into three angles, and resemble the square pillars of the mukhamandapa. Their base consists of a khura, kumbha carrying images of four-armed lalita sana goddesses in niches, kalaša and kapota. The shaft has four sections, viz. square, octagonal, sixteen-sided and circular. The square section carries framed figures of four-armed standing goddesses (Sarasvati, Vairotyā, Rohini and Cakresvari on the one pillar, and Sarasvati, Vairotyä, Rohini and Vajränkusi on the other). The octagonal section bears eight figures of four-armed lalitäsana goddesses. The sixteen-sided section carries sixteen figures of female dancers and musicians. The circular section is divided into two belts, the lower showing four projecting circular pendants and ornamentations of chain-and-bells alternating with tassels, and the upper displaying a band of kirttimukhas spewing chains that are secured below by a band of diamonds and beads. The capital is similar to that of the other devakulikā pillars. The base and capital of the five-faceted pilasters flanking the door are similar to the pillars, but the shaft is diff. erently treated. Below, it shows a framed figure of Pratihära flanked on each side by a female attendant. Above, its central facet displays three successive niches containing images of four-armed standing goddesses, each flanked on either side by a female attendant standing on the accompanying facets, while the extreme facets are decorated with lotus scrolls. The shaft is topped by a ghatapallava. The domical ceiling is composed of four courses, the first being octagonal and the others, circular. The inner face of the octagonal course is decorated with a band of kiritimukhas, while its underside at each corner depicts a full-blown lotus flower set up in a circular border of lotus stalks and flanked on each side by a Kinnara. The other three courses consist of hadmas, each decorated with two bands of lotus petal-and-bud ornament. The circular slab closing up the dome is relieved with a full-blown lotus
flower comprising three rows of petals. The door is of the pañcafakha variety, consisting of patrafakha decorated with lotus scrolls, rūpasākha, räpastambha, rūpasakha, and bāhyaśākha carved with a band of creepers and a band of diamonds and beads. The lower part of the fakhas is occupied by a framed figure of four-armed standing goddess (Rohini on proper right and Mahāmānasi on proper left) accompanied on each side by a female cauri-bearer; a female carrying water-pot also stands towards the opening. Above this the räpastambha displays three successive niches containing images of fourarmed lalitāsana goddesses - Mānasi, Vajrassnkhalā and Vajränkusi on proper right, and Mānasi, Vajrănkusi and Vairotyä on proper left. The rūpašakhas display six figures of female attendants, two flanking each goddess of the rūpastambha. The udunbara is divided into two registers. The lower register shows mouldings of khura, jad yakumbha, karņika and grāsapaffi. The upper one displays a semi-circular projection carved with stemmed lotus, punctuated with human figures and elephants, in the centre, a projecting kirttimukha on each side of it, and a sculptured niche containing an image of four-armed lalitāsana goddess accompanied on each sidy by two female attendants on either extremity. The uttaranga is also divided into two registers. The lower register shows a ghatapallava capital with two recessed angles topping the jambs on either end, while the space in between the capitals is filled with the lotus scroll-band carried up from the patrafakha and a row of Mälädharas facing the lalaFabiria which represents Lakşmi seated in dhyanamudrä. The upper register carries five projecting sculptured niches alternating with recesses. The niches contain images of four-armed lalitäsana goddesses identifiable, from left to right, with Cakresy ari. Kali. Mahäkäli, Vajränkusi and Lakşmi (?), each flanked on either si each flanked on either side by a female attendant; while the recesses, surmounted by kirttimukhas, represent images of four-armed standing goddesses. The overdoor depicts fourteen auspicious objects seen in dream by the Jina mother during concept ion. The whole or part of this devakulikā is a later addition. This is apparently indicated by an inscription of V. S. 1315 (1258 A. D.) engraved upon the uttaranga. Though the inscription is worn out, this much is clear that the devakulika was built in such and such date.
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