Book Title: Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior
Author(s): T V G Shastri
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore

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Page 119
________________ hard and fast rule that the chinhapitha should be shown over the vrttapitha. Sometimes are shown in the simhapitha. In certain cases both the pithas do not find place, but the chinha is shown just below the feet. (ii) Tirthankaras in niches : It is a deeper cutting effected in and area of 8x5 sq. m..cut to a depth of 2 m. This panel of three Tirthankaras comes next to the relief of Parsvanatha hill. All the three images of Tirthankaras in this are shown standing in one line. The faces are disfigured. The central figure is shown with the hoods of a snake to suggest that it is Parsvanatha. Other iconographical features are worn out. Besides the rock is cut so as to form an elongated arch like projection covering all the three. They have a common pedestal at the base showing the usual lions., Their corresponding chinha are not seen. (iii) Tirthankaras in Cave and reliefs: Still further down in the same line, there is a seated figure of Adinatha. It is very imposing and rises to a height of 8 m. over the pedestal. Across the knees, it shows a width of 3 m. As usual, it is seated in padmasana in a meditative posture. Below the vrttapitha some design in carved in the centre. The simhapitha has the 'bull' in the central niche. Other usual associates are also seen. The projecting semicircular stone at the top serves as the umbrella of the Tirthankara (Plate 37). Panchatirthika chaitya relief: This is a peculiar rendering of the cave cutting, with relief sculptures below. The cave is shown with some niches, possibly intended for individual shrines. Some hallow semicircular opening towards the extreme left has the relief of a rekhanagara shikhara at the top. Below the semi circular space there is a seated figure standing to a height of 2 m. and 1 m. across. It is placed in padmasana, below the lintel of the entrance. The iconographical details are worn out. Below the chaitya cave shrine, there is a panel of five Tirthankaras. Their nudity and the srivatsa on the chest suggest that they are Tirthankaras. But other features are worn out possibly because of weathering. They have a common pedestal for lions. Towards the right, there is the relief of tritirthika in a niche at the top, while another seated Tirthankara is seen in padmasana below. The top of the cave portion contains super structures or shikharas of rekhanagara type of temples. (99)

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