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INTRODUCTION.
these storeys were built in the tenth century A. D. and give a fine. idea of the beautiful architecture of that age. [See Plates II and III.]
Gommatesvara,
On Vindhyagiri, Chamunda Raya erected a colossal image of Vahuvali or Blujabali, more commonly known as Gommat Svami or Gommatesvara. [See frontispiece]. Later on, imitating Châmunda Raya, the chief Vira-Pandya erected another statue of Gommatesvara at Karkala (South Canara), in A. D. 1432; and afterwards a similar figure of Gommatesvara was established by the chief Timmarija at Yenur (South Canara), in A. 1. 1604°
These "colossal monolithic nude Jain statues......are among the wonders of the world." These are "undoubtedly the most remarkable of the Jain statues and the largest free-standing statues in Asia....All three being set on the top of eminences, are visible for miles around, and, in spite of their formalism, command respectful attention by their enormous mass and expression of dignified serenity. The biggest, that at Sravana Belgola, stands about 56 feet in height, with a width of 13 feet across the hips, and is cut out of a solid block of gneiss, apparently wrought in situ. That at Karkala, of the same material, but some 15 feet less in height, is estimated to weigh 80 tons. The smallest of the giants, that at Yenur, is 35 feet high. The three images are almost identical, but the one at Yenur has the 'special peculiarity of the cheeks being dimpled, with a deep grave smile,' which is considered to detract from the impressive effect. The extreme conventionalism of Jain art is well-illustrated by the fact that, whereas all the three colossi are substantially identical, save for the smile at Yenur, the dates vary widely." +
The image erected by Chamunda Raya "is not only the most ancient in date and considerably the highest of the three, but from its striking position on the top of the very steep hill and the conso
* References for Sravana Begola statue: Indian Antiquary, Vol. II, page 129; Epigraphia Indica, Vol. VII, page 108; Lewis Rice - Mysore and Coorg,' page 47.
References for Karkala statue: Indian Antiquary, Vol. II, page 358; Epigraphia Indica, Vol. VII, page 112.
References for Yenur statue: Indian Antiquary, Vol. V, page 37; Epigraphia Indica, Vol. VII, page 112.
† Imperial Gazetteer of India, page 121.
Vincent Smith - A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon,' page 268.
Further references to these statues will be found in Slurrock-Manual of South Canara,' page 85; Fergusson-History of Indian Architecture,' page 267; 'Fraser's Magazine,' May. 1875 (Mr. Walhouse's article).
