________________
either side of the walls towards north and south. The ceiling spearating the upper and lower storeys is indicated by a stone beam seen in all the temples in front of the images.
In the second temple from the north, the Tirthankara image shows more iconographic details. Over the head, we find the hoods of a cobra projecting out. Evidently, the image represents the Parsvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara. In other temples, the iconographic features are not seen.
Dating of Temples :
The dvarasakhas decorated with creeper designs, and the sculptural flourish of the lalatabimba are typical features of the Gupta period. They resemble and ancient group of - temples of Rajim attributed to Sarabhapura kings, who ruled the region around 5th century A.D. Moreover, the sculptural work-manship of the Gupta temples of Devagadh of Dasarna bhukti, could be easily identified.
The above evidences show that in the region around Gwalior, Barai temples are the earliest of the Jain sturctures that drew inspiration to promote Jain sculptural tradition in the region.
There are other images like Bhairava yaksha showing a demonic features, a flame with dog behind. It speaks of the iconography of - Kalabhairava. Evidently, he is the associate yaksha of the 11th Tirthankara, Sreyamsanatha.
A beautiful sculpture of four handed Ganesh, in tribhanga is shown in the niche of the temple outside.
Both the sculptures have a hoary antiquity, but the facial expressions and the ornamentation speak of the same period around 5th or 6th century A.D.
(V.) KUTWAR This village lies about 50 km. away from Gwalior on the Gwalior-Jhansi road. It could also be located towards the north-east of Padmavati (Pawaya) at the confluence of the riveres Para and Sindhu, the tributaries that join the Chambal river.
Kutwar village is now nestled in a forest area through which the river Asan flows, before it joins the Chambal. A dam is being built very near the village across the river. The dam
(109)
