Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies Vol 01 Jaina Art and Architecture

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain, Others
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 93

Jaina Temple Architecture : North India
size of pratibhadra is inserted between the karma and pratiratha. Between the offsets are salilāntara-recesses and the salilāntaras in developed temples are generally reinforced by minor koņikäs (corners).
Like the plan, the elevation of Jaina temples also has distinctive features. The jagati, wherever present, has been made solid with straight and plain sides. The temple stands on a pitha (socle) which is made up of a series of splayed out moulded courses bearing varied ornaments or left plain. The pitha supports the mandovara-wall (Fig. 49) which is divided into three sections - the lower is vedibandha (podium), the middle is janghā (wall-proper), and the upper is varandikā (entablature). The vedībandha is composed of a set of five mouldings of khura, kumbha, kalasa, antarapatta and kapota, which are either plain or decorated with figure-sculptures and other decorative patterns. The jangha, which is the main attraction of the wall, is generally studded with fine figures of Dikpālas on the karnas and of Jaina divinities and apsarases on the rest. The varandikā consists of a few moulded courses and an eave-cornice. The jangha-wall on each bhadra has a sunken niche for an image of Jina.
Where the temple has an inner ambulatory, the bhadra offset above the pitha is treated differently. Here it shows a short wall made up of rājasenaka, vedika, āsanapatta and kakşasana, all very richly carved. The asanapatta supports pillars that carry architraves with projecting eaves. Between the pillars are fitted perforated stone grilles to admit light to the inner ambulatory.
Above the perpendicular walls comes the curvilinear śikhara of which three varieties at least are known - ekāndaka, anekāndaka (Fig. 50) and bhūmija. The ekāņdaka is mono-spired śikhara with vertical bands bearing lattice of caitya-gavākṣas. It may be seen in the Adinātha temple at Khajuraho and in a few other temples. The anekāndaka is a multi-turreted śikhara appearing in the Pārsvanātha temple at Khajuraho and at many other places. The bhūmija śikhara is composed of four spines with a mesh of caitya-gavākşas on the
central offsets, and vertical bands of pillarettes with horizontal rows of shrine-models in the quadrants. The bhūmija mode of sikhara has been very popular in the temples of the upper Deccan, but it is rarely found in the Jaina temples of North India. So far only two examples, one at Arang (Raipur district, M.P.) and the other at Sewadi (Pali district, Rajasthan), are known. The various offsets of the sikhara terminate at the flat skandha part surmounted by grīvā, āmalaka, candrikā, kalaśa and bijapūraka. A flag-staff is also installed. A sukanāsa, lodged over the antarāla, leans upon the front facade of the sikhara, with niched figure on the front face and a figure of lion at the top. The whole of the sikhara is enmeshed with caitya-gavākşas.
A water-chute in the form of crocodile (makarapranala) is inserted on one side of the sanctum płtha to drain out oblation water.
The sanctum is entered through an ornate doorway from the antarala. Inside is worshipped an image of the Jina. The doorframe of the sanctum as well as the mandapas and devakulikās is ornate displaying one sākha (jamb) to seven śãkhās. The doorsill often shows a square or semi-circular carved block in the centre, a kirttimukha on each side of it and a sculptured niche on either extremity. The door-lintel continues the decorative bands of the jambs and depicts Jina as Talātabimba (crest image). On the lower section of the jambs stand images of door guardians, Jaina goddesses or river goddesses (Ganga and Yamunā), with attendant figures. The doorway is stepped up from a candrašila moonstone).
The antarala is a buffer wall formed by the front offset of the sanctum and the rear offset of the gudhamandapa. It is roofed by a sukanāsa, has its own ceiling, and carries two niches in the inner walls. But the antarāla in the Jaina temples at Khajuraho, Gyaraspur, Osian etc. is in the form of a porch built in front of the sanctum.
The gūdhamandapa, which is a closed hall somewhat larger than the sanctum, is similar on plan
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