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AN EARLY HISTORY OF ORISSA
it can be seen outlines of an incomplete figure of a standing Jaina Tirthařkara attended by chawri-bearers.
The front wall of the chamber is decorated with sidepilasters, tympana, arches etc. The first tympanum por. trays royal elephants with lotus buds and flowers in their trunks. The second shows the sun.god with his chariot of four horses (instead of traditional seven), his two wives Samjñā and Chhāyā, and a demon probably Rāhū. The third shows the goddess Lakshami standing on lotus attended by elephants on both sides with uplifted trunks. The fourth depicts a female with attendants worshipping a tree within railing.
The tympanum arches are also carved. The first is relieved with lotus flowers and garlands. The second and the third are fantastic representations of men (yakshus) fighting with lions and bulls. The fourth portrays brahmani geese bearing lotus buds. The arches are flanked by large three-hooded serpents on each side, hools being near the springing of the arch and tails extending along the extrados upto the crown of the arch. The threehooded serpent is the symbol of Lord Pārsvanātha. The cave may conceivably have been dedicated to him. M. M. Ganguli' has erroneously ascribed it to the Buddha. The central spaces between the arches are relieved with flying vidyādharas bearing offerings. The side pilasters of the doorways are decorated with neat and delicate designs.
The verandah (274 ft. x 87 ft.) is supported on three pillars of characteristic type. At the top, the pillars and also the pilasters are provided with decorative brackets both on the front and the back-the outer bracket lending support to the short concave chhajja projecting beyond the
1. QHR, p. 57.
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