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(IV) Bavan Gaj Cave :
The cave group is locally identified as the 'Bavan Gaj' group. From this, it could be made out that according to tradition, this group contains an image, standing to height of 52 yards. But actually here lies the biggest image rising to a height of 17 m. (a yard is equal to approximately 39 cm.) There are several other sculptures. Their heights range from 10 cm. to 17 m. Besides, some tiny Tirthankara images are found along the walls of the caves and pillars in horizontal rows. Possibly, they are all executed in multiples of 24 to represent the usual chauvimsi panels. Several such miniature figures are found in some caves of Gopachal. From this, it may be surmised that they have some religious significance. Possibly some highly religious- devotees who could afford, might have paid for such sculpturing in anticipation of religious merit.
Most of the caves in this group are dedicated to Adinatha. Thus, it can be rightly called as Rsabhagiri hill (Adinatha). No doubt, other Tirthankara images are also seen which could be identified as Chandraprabha, Kunthunatha, Shantinatha, etc. For all the images big or small, there was less effort to display them prominent, with pedestals serving as chinhapitha. However, most of the Tirthankaras are associated with the motifs or chamaradharis, maladharis, gajakalasha, etc.
The Bavan Gaj Cave is a vertically cut, open cave of 20 m. along the hill slope, with a uniform depth of 8 m. From outside this could be divided into two parts (1) the entrance, (2) the sanctum sanctorum.
The Entrance : This is a rectangular cutting 7 m. high and 2.5 m. in width. Except for the jambs on either side of the entrance and their capitals projecting at the centre of lintel, the entire rectangular space is cut, to form the opening of the entrance. From this, the feet, the fore and the hind legs up to the waist of the image lying in the sanctum can be clearly seen even from a distance. The entire image of the Tirthankara stretched along the back wall is cut to a length of 17 m. but its width across the shoulders is 3 m.
Above the lintel, it is an oblong narrow cutting up to the upper arms. Half way up, the cutting is extended sidewards, to form a two dwarfish pillars that carry the huge semicircular arch.
Outside away from left jamb, there is a wide rectangular niche. It measures 2 m. in length, 1 1/2 m. in width, housing three seated images of Tirthankaras. There is a common pedestal of the three image. It is meter in height. Above the niche of the Tirthankaras, there is a panel of miniature chauvimsi images.
Again, towards the right outside in a niche, there is a seated image of a Tirthankara. This niche is a square cutting of one meter. Other featues, are similar to the one on the left.
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