Early History of Orissa

SR No.: 006922
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amarchand Mittal
Publisher: Jain Cultural Research Society
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 506
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

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AN EARLY HISTORY OF ORISSA
got excavated by prince Kudepasiri (probably a son and successor of Khāravela) and prince Vadukha.
The Svargapuri is situated exactly over the lower storey. It consists of a benched verandah (24jft. x 7}ft.) opening into a long room in front and a side room on the right. The front room is flanked by side pilasters from which spring arches relieved with floral designs. The pilasters are characteristically ornamented with winged animals and the arches are joined by the plain waggon-shaped roofs of shrines, each supported on two yuksha figures serving as brackets. The carvings in this cave have almost entirely disappeared. Sir John Cunningham' opines that the upper storey is the earlier of the two.
In the space between the central and the right-hand arches of the front chamber is engraved an inscription in three lines mentioning the Chief Queen’ of Khāravela :
Arahantur pasādāya kalingāņāṁ sumaņānām lenar Icāritarii rājno lalāk 18a hat hisihasa papotasa dhutuņāyā kalinga-chakavutino siri khāravelasa agamahisiya kāritam.'
The Mañchapuri consists of a main wing comprising of a side chamber and two back chambers to east and a right wing with one chamber to south. The verandabs in front of the main and right wings have each figures of two guards sculptured at the ends. The front face of the rock forming the broad band between the two storeys was very well carved with elephant procession and floral designs. But it is now almost entirely obliterated owing to the action of the weather. The arches of the front room are
1. CHI, Ch. XXVI, p. 639. 2. Select Inss, Bk. II, No. 92, pp. 213-14.