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Jaina Temple Architecture : North India
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the original one.
The temple (Fig. 75) consists of a sanctum, antarala, gūdhamandapa, mukhamandapa and a lately added rangamandapa. The sanctum is tri-anga on plan with bhadra, pratiratha and karņa, each broken into three planes. The pitha (Fig. 48) consists of a bhitta, cippikā, jādyakumbha, karņikā and grāsapatti. The vedibandha includes khura, kumbha bearing indented half diamonds on the karņas and pratirathas and small niches containing figures of Jaina goddesses on the bhadras. The janghā carries graceful figures of Dikpālas (Pl. 40) on the two faces of the karmas and of apsarases on the pratirathas, all standing within tall and narrow frame topped udgama- pediments, while the salilāntaras formed between the angas have vyāla figures. The janghā on each bhadra has a beautiful sunken niche with an elegant grille- pattern on each side. The Jina images of the bhadra- niches are missing. Above the janghā is a unique and very handsome panel with seated Jinas flanked by standing ones, and then follows a square bharaṇi replaced at the bhadra by a band of flying Vidyadharas. The varandikā consists of two successive kapotas. The sikhara (Pl. 41) with some old remains is of the late 15th or even later period. Inside the sanctum is an image of Adinatha of the late medieval period (the temple originally dedicated to Mahavira), but the frame is original belonging to the 10th century A.D.
The gūdhamandapa, which is attached to the sanctum by the antarāla walls, is square on plan with bhadra, thin pratiratha and karma and shares its pītha and vedībandha with those of the sanctum, but here the kumbha at karnas also bears sculptured niches. The janghā is studed with beautiful sculptures but is rebuilt at some late date.
The mukhamandapa is rectangular on plan with six mixed order of pillars disposed in two lines of four each. The pillars and the flat ceilings are all undecorated
The rangamandapa, which has been added in the 15h century, is simple and uninteresting.
Stylistically, this temple is placed in c. A.D. 1000.
SEWADI
Mahāvira Temple - Sewadi, ancient Samipāti, is situated in the Pali district of Rajasthan. Perhaps, it became known after the erection of the present Jaina temple there. The temple (Fig. 76) is built of sandstone and bricks and faces east. This is a Bhūmija temple which is rare in this part of the country but very popular in the Deccan.
The temple consists of a sanctum, antarāla, güdhamandapa, mukhamandapa and rangamandapa, the whole surrounded by a row of devakulikās. The sanctum is tri-anga on plan consisting of bhadra, pratiratha and karna, each broken into three planes. The karma and pratiratha are equilateral and of the same proportions. Between the angas are salilāntaras. The gūdhamandapa is articulated at the frontal karna of the sanctum.
In elevation it shows three usual components, viz. pītha, wall (Pl. 43) and sikhara. The pitha shows four mouldings of bhitta, jādyakumbha decorated with caityagavākşas, karņikă and pattikā. The vedibandha of the wall has five bold courses of khura, kumbha adorned with alternate half lotuses and half diamonds, kalasa, antarapatta, and kapota decorated with caitya-gavākṣa device. The jangha-wall is quite plain and is surmounted by a plain band, kapota similar to that seen in the pitha, antarapatta and an eave. The bhadra projections of the jangha have emptied sculptured niches surmounted by two-tiered udgama-pediment. The sikhara of the sanctum, made of bricks and plastered up, is pañcaratha and belongs to the Bhūmija class. It shows four latās (spines) with large caitya-gavāksa at the base on each side and six storeys of three turrets each in each quadrant. On the front spine is lodged a three-storeyed plain sukanāsa. The sikhara (Pl. 42) is crowned above the neck by an amalaka, kalaśa and bījapūraka. Like the wall the Sikhara is also very plain. This Bhūmija śikhara is remarkable in that it has no carvings and displays only six storeys in elevation. Actually, it has been produced as a typical Rajasthani temple under the local influence.
The gūdhamandapa, though nearly square and larger
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