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 78

Description of Temples
61 alternating with recesses, all containing im- Each bay of the corridor contains an ornate ages of standing or lalitasana goddesses. Below ceiling supported on a square or rectangular frame
each niche is depicted a pair of geese. of architraves bearing similar ornamentations (II) It is similar to the preceding one, but the
as we find on those of the lateral porches of the goddess on the lower part of the jambs is
güdhamandapa. Generally, the rectangular space
of the ceiling is reduced to a square or nearly replaced by a Pratihära, two jambs are unchamfered, and the räpastambha is replaced
square by a frame of four rectangular slabs perby a stambhafakha which is heavily moulded
ched upon the architraves. The square is formed and shows a caitya-arch motif below and a
by substracting a broad belt from each of the
longer sides. This is done by covering the broad ghatapallava above. Besides, the upper
belts with two slabs put across the longer sides. register of the uttarariga shows five projecting
By this device the ceiling is not only raised up by niches containing diamonds. Below each
one course, but enough space niche may also be seen a pair of geese, but
is also left for
ornamentations on the inner face of the square above, it carries a pair of lions,
frame and on the underside of the two shorter (III) The udumbara is similar to No. I, but the two
sides. The ceilings, perched upon the square frame, niches flanking the central projection are
are also generally raised up by a frame of four replaced by two projecting kirttimukhas and
rectangular slabs slightly projecting out into the the images of the sculptured niches are
space of the ceiling on two or four sides. It is accompanied by female attendants, three
worth describing each ceiling separately. Where flanking on either side of each divinity. The
the devakulikās have two bays, the one adjacent to four jambs consist of patra decorated with
them is described here as 'A' of devakulika so and so, lotus scrolls, ripa, rüpastambha and rüpa. The
and the other towards the courtyard is referred to lower part of the jambs depicts similar
as 'B'. representations as are found in case of No. I. Above this the rūpastambha successively Devakulika 1A-Square on plan it is domical of depicts four images of lalitasana goddesses, the sabhamandāraka class. It consists of five cireach being accompanied by two female cular courses and a circular padmašila. The inner attendants appearing on the räpasakhās. The face of the first course is decorated with a row of uttarariga is divided into two registers. The lions, while its underside represents an image of lower register displays a ghatapallava capital four-armed lalitasana goddess at each corner and topping the jambs on either end, while the a creeper-band on the two projecting narrow sides. space in between is filled with lotus scrolls The second is padma decorated with two bands of carried up from the patrafakha and a row lotus petal-and-bud motif. The third, edged with of Maladharas facing the lalatabiria which gajatālu, consists of sixteen whorls of four-fold (3+1) represents a padmāsana Jina in dhyānamudra. pointed kola. The fourth and fifth, each edged The upper register carries seven lalitāsana with gajatālu, have twelve-foil and eight-foil kolas goddesses in projecting niches and attendant respectively. The padmašila consists of three courfigures in alternate recesses.
ses of incurved lotus petal-and-bud, lotus petal The spaces between the doorframes and the
and lotus petal-and-bud ornaments respectively, pilasters are generally filled with winding creepers.
and a small stamenal tube having one row of The same in Devakulikas 2,3,11,44,53 and 54 are petals. Be
petals. Between the courses are placed reverse replete with relief carvings containing figures of 84asacus. Śrävakas and Srävikäs carrying offerings for 1B-Square on plan it is domical of the sabhaworship.21 On the wall of Devakulika 10, to the mandāraka variety. It consists of six circular courses right of the door, are incised 120 dates of various and a circular padmašila. The inner face of the kalyanakas of 24 Jinas of this Avasarpini age. Here first course is carved with a row of lions, while its are also noticed the complexions of these Jinas.22 underside shows a creeper medallion at each corner
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