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JAIN JOURNAL
āndol type. There is a suggestion of makara-mukha at both the ends of the arches. The rhythmatic continuity of the arch is broken down at three places by introducing a square block with quadra petal flowers carved in it. On top of these squares, birds are shown seated. The figures of birds are very small even the carver-artist has tried to depict them distinct from each other. It is possible to identify them by their sitting posture, shape of their beaks and tails. It appears that the pair of birds seated on the central arch is of parrot. One on the left arch is of crow and the sparrows are on the right arch. It shows how beautifully carver-artist has created these small birds with such minutest details.
The border frame of the frieze is broad and decorated with flowercreeper design. The flowers are quadrapetal and leaves of the creeper are straight. The treatment of this design is very bold and devoid of delicacy which can be seen in the earlier examples of wood carvings. The monotony in the treatment of flowers-creeper pattern is clearly seen here.
Frieze 2 : 23 x 43.5 x 5.5 cm.
The second frieze illustrates the scene of worship of Tirthankara. It can be divided into two parts. In the first part the devotees are seen arriving at the temple (derāsara) for worship and in the second derāsara is shown with the figure of Tirthankara and a devotee in worship.
The structure of derāsara is carved on the right side with ardhamandapa and garbhagsha. It is a domed structure with pillars of vruta (cyprus shaped, round) type. A dome on the garbhagsha is decorated with semi-circular small arches all over while that of ardhamandapa is with small scaly designs.
An image of Tirthankara is shown seated in dhyana-mudra. The carver has carved cognisance (lāñchana) on the pedestal of the Tirthankara, but it is worn out beyond recognition. However, the seven hooded serpent covering the head of Tirthankara suggests that he is Parsvanātha. One hood on the left side of Tirthankara is broken.
5 Dhaky, M. A., Gujaratni Toraṇa Samțddhi, Kumar (Gujarati), No. 500, Aug. 1965,
pp. 298-308.
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