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 180

Description of Temples
163
images of standing goddesses with attendant figures. pradaksināpatha, near the balconied window, is a Each rathikā contains an image of eight-armed samatala ceiling which is similar to that seen in the dancing goddess flanked on each side by two female balcony, but the lotus in the central square panel attendants and a balcony model, and canopied in the ceiling near the north balcony has petals of overhead by a triple udgama. The goddess in the red lotus in both the corollas and the underside north rathika is identified with Sarasvati,91 while lotus medallion of the architraves enclosing the those in the west and the south rathikas (Fig. 75) ceiling consists of three rows of petals and a central are unidentified. The whole of the Sikhara is car- circle marked by twine pattern. The garbhagyha ved with a lattice of fine but minute and compli- is about 18.6 ft, square and has a recessed bench on cated caitya-arches.
each side as well as along the back wall. Its plan
is derived from two parallelograms 18.3 ft. by 13.4 The front facade of the Sikhara possesses only ft laid crosswise so as to leave at each corner an one uromañjari, the others being replaced by a fuka
angle projecting inwards about 2.5 ft. on each side. nasa lodged over the buffer wall, which continues
On the north wall, near the western end, are two the bottom row of śrågas of the Sikhara. At the top dikbalas. Agni and Isäna, while on the corresponding of these frrigas is a platform on which rests the south wall is dikpala Kubera. The garbhagrha door Sukanäsa. Between the Srigas, on the top, are sculp- is concealed from view by usual piers and arches. tured niches bearing images of four-armed lalitäsana
Inside the garbhagyha, on the principal bench, is goddesses, while on the platform itself are to be installed a colossal image in white marble of Ajitaseen the sculptures of the Jaina Munis, which are nātha seated in dhyanamudra. The image is not an similar to those seen on the skandha of the Sikhara. original one, but was consecrated in A. D. 1422 by The Sukanäsa is formed by a series of three graded one Govinda. probably after its spoliation by the balconied windows, each surmounted by a bell roof Muslims. 02 On the two sides of this image and and a rampant lion with his front paws borne by placed against the north and south walls are two elephant; the lion has disappeared in the lower images in white marble of kāyotsarga Jinas of 1297 window. The upper and the middle windows are A. D. These images do not belong to this temple blind, whereas the lower one is open, through which but were brought from a nearby village called diffused light enters the interior of the upper storey. Salamkot.98 The garbhagrha also contains two small The front and the side faces of the upper window images of Ajitanátha, one of 1247 A. D. and the carry images of Lalitasana goddesses, whose attri. other of 1248 A. D.94 Besides, there are a few butes are mutilated. The middle window consists
more images of Jinas, some of which were probably of three compartments, one located in the front and consecrated by Vijayasenasūri (1556-1614 A. D.)." one placed at right angle on each of the return sides of the front one. The side compartments are Gūdhamapdapa also crowned by rampant lions with their front paws carried by elephants, the lion on the southern
Articulated diagonally with the malaprāsāda, compartment has gone now. On the facade of
the gūdhamandapa is also caturanga on plan and these compartments can be seen the images of god.
follows in the vertical sequence of its pitha and desses. The lower window carries a female cauri
mandovar a mouldings those of the malaprāsada, but bearer and an image of goddess on each side of the
the dikpalas harbouring on the karmas of the lower opening on the front, and a goddess accompanied
jangha are replaced by eight-armed dancing by a female caur7-bearer on each side. All the
Yakşas, and the divinities of the upper jangha are goddesses have eight arms and are represented in
represented in the lalita-pose (Fig. 76). The bottom the dancing attitude. Three of these goddesses are
row of Srigas of the māla präsada is continued here, identifiable with Naradattā, Käli and Mahājvālā.
but one of the two tilakas over the konikas and the
nandikas is replaced by two balcony models, and The garbhagrha is enclosed by a pradaksiņāpatha, the frigas are flanked on their upper half by ramthe passage of which has been narrowed by reinfor- pant simha-vyalas. The vertical part of the gadhamcing piers and arches during restorations. In the andapa terminates, at the apex of these frigas, in a