Jaina Art and Architecture Vol 02

SR No.: 011013
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: A Ghosh
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 326
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 136

MONUMENTS & SCULPTURE A.D. 1000 TO 1300
(PART V
female attendants occur four water-gods of the usual type, each carrying a water-jar and riding on kari-makara. The niches below the stambha-sakhas show an image of four-armed Sri-devi and figure of four-armed Lakşmi seated in padmäsana and carrying lotus-bud in the only surviving upper right hand with a tortoise indicated below the seat. The niches below the seventh sakhā show representations of Kubera, carrying abhaya, parašu, spiral lotus-stalk and a broken object, with three jars representing nidhis depicted below the seat.
The pilasters flanking the sanctum-doorway are square. They stand on an upapītha decorated with circular rosettes and lotus-petals surmounted by an ornate basc (kumbhikā) showing khura, kumbha decorated with udgama, kalaśa and kapota-mouldings. The lower portion of the shaft carries a sculpture of four-armed dvära-pāla, while the middle portion is decorated with (1) wavy scrolls issuing from the mouth of a kirttimukha (2) diamonds, and (3) pot-and-foliage design. Above this occurs a projecting paprika which is surmounted by an uccălaka section showing only pot-and-foliage design. The surmounting capital carries the decorations of amalaka and padma. Above the capital rests the usual bhūta-brackets with adoring Nāgas in the corners. The brackets support lintels with three offsets decorated with (1) sixteen auspicious Jaina symbols seen in the dream by Mahāvira's mother at the time of conception, (2) circular rosettes alternating with diamonds, and (3) grāsapattikā. The superstucture above the lintels is missing and has been restored in modern lime-plaster.
The sanctum rests on pilasters having plain shafts of rectangular section. The central pilasters, however, show pot-and-foliage in the upper and lower portions of the shafts which rest on the upapitha and kumbhikā of the usual design. All the pilasters here carry capital surmounted by a patrikā carved with stencilled scrolls. While the central pilasters carry bhūta-brackets, the hind pilasters show brackets of plain curved profile with a volute at the top. The lintel is plain with two offsets and supports a cornice which carries a flat ceiling decorated with a large lotus-flower with four rows of concentric petals in relief enclosed in a square compartment the corners of which are decorated with kirttimukhas. The eastern ceiling of the sanctum is flat and plain.
The temple enshrincs a modern image of Ādinātha in place of the old one of which only the pedestal has survived. That the temple was dedicated to Adinātha is attested by the representation of his Yakşi Cakreśvari on the lintel of the sanctum-doorway.
The northern and southern façades of the sukanāsikā over the antarala show each three niches with divine figures. These three niches, combined with
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