Report On Elura Cave Temples and Bramhanical and Jaina Caves in Western India

SR No.: 011091
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Trubner and Company London
Publication Year: 1883
Total Pages: 209
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 14 MB

Page 55

ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF WESTERN INDIA
Over the gopuram were fat dwarf figures represented as blowing sankhs. But as they had been carred separately, most of them have been thrown down and destroyed.
One is represented in the woodcut No. 15. Similar figures are also carved on the roof of the mandapa in the court of the Das Avatara cave, and on the roof of the second storey of the Undavalli cave near Bezwadà.
SHRINE OF THE RIVER GODDESSES. In the north side of the court, behind the elephant, is a shrine about 23! fect long by 9 feet deep and 11 high, with two free-standing pillars in front (one of them broken) and two in antis (woodcut No. 16). They have moulded bases, 16-sided shafts, and massive capitals with
a double bracket above. The floor is about 5 feet above No. 15.-Dwarf Figure from the roof of the the level of the court, and is approached by five steps, puram of Kail.isa.
with an elephant's head and front feet on each side of them, and the rest of the front of the podium is divided into three panels on each side, containing small sculptures much abraded. At the ends also have been the heads, &c., of elephants,
and the façade was terminated by gigantic durarapalas with several arms, and wearing high mukutas or tiaras. The back wall of this shrine is divided by half pillars into three large panels, with slender colonnettes on each side carrying makaras, and richly carved tôranas above, each containing a tall figure of a goddess in almost entire relief, symmetrically arranged, and which have been carved with unusual care, and though anything but classical in their proportions, they are about the best here, but have been much abused. The central one, which is perfectly erect, stands on a makara, with lotus leaves and
flowers behind her, and may X. 10.--Shrine of the River Goddessts, frun a photograph.
therefore be supposed to represent Gangá; the other two lean slightly towards her,-the one on the left standing on a lotus flower, with creeping plants and birds among their leaves, and that to the right
1950
Cac Temples, 1 102.