Jaina Rock Cut Caves In Western India Part 01

SR No.: 022810
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Viraj Shah
Publisher: Agam Kala Prakashan
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 412
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 225

Description and Chronology of Caves
199 made of two stones. Thus, the right pillar is made of six stone slabs and the left pillar is made of five blocks. The right pillar is slightly higher than the left one.
The hall doorway, measuring 1.78m by 1.61m, has a plain sakha. The lintel is damaged, but seems to have a figure of seated Jina. There is a chandrašila flanked by a kirtimukha and a single step in front (Fig. 64d). The door fittings are in the form of a round groove, one on each side, both on the ceiling and lower sill of the door.
The hall is 3.35m wide along the back wall and 4.1m along the front wall. It is 3.82m deep on the right and 3.65m on the left. It is irregular, but the floor and the ceiling are smooth. The ceiling is 2.5m high. On the back wall are cut three niches, about 0.46m from the floor. The right niche is 1.33m long, 0.63m wide and 0.28m deep. The central niche is 1.45m by 1.13m and around 0.4m deep. This niche has an L-shaped platform. The left niche is 1.2m long, 0.65m wide and 0.31m deep. To the left of it is a shallow niche. 0.38m by 0.33m. These were used to keep the loose icons.
Between the niches, on the back wall are two figures of standing Jinas. Apart from these, there are two loose sculptures lying on the floor. Though quite broken, these seem to be Sarvanubhuti and Ambika. So, it can be supposed that the side niches were used to keep the image of yaksa and yaksi, while the central one was to keep the icon of a Jina on the platform. The icon of Jina is lost.
In each sidewall are two round grooves, one near each corner. The grooves of both the walls correspond. Perhaps these grooves were used to insert wooden bars along the length of the cave. These could have been used to hang garlands or some such objects.
Above the hall, there is an empty excavation, about 3.3m wide, 1.65m deep and 1.35m high. It can be reached by climbing the slope on the either side of the cave.
Sculptures
1. Standing Jina: 0.95m by 0.33m.
The figure stands in kāyotsarga mudra. He has long ears touching the shoulders and has dvivali griva. There is a trace of srivatsa on the chest, but is no trace of uşnisa or hair. There is line on the stomach (Plate 134).
2. Standing Jina: 1m by 0.38m.
This figure is similar to the one on the right. Here the śrivatsa is clear. His right hand below elbow is broken.
Both the Jinas are crudely made. The facial features are not clear and are carved in moderate relief.
3. Sarvānubhuti: 0.46m by 0.41m (extant portion).
The head, hands, right leg and part of the vāhana are gone. He is seated in vāmalalitasana on an elephant and is pot-bellied. He wears necklace, chhannavira, sacred thread and anklets. The head of the elephant is destroyed. It has a three stringed ornament on the body.