Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior

Author(s): T V G Shastri
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore

Page 81

Cave 16:
Image : This cave lies, almost opposite the wicket gate that admits visitors from the stairway to the caves of Ek-Patthar-ki-Bavdi. As people enter, they can have the complete visual of standing image of Neminatha. He stands to a height of 8 m. and has a width of 2.5 m. across the shoulders.
The image in kayotsarga has the chinhapitha showing a 'conch' indicating the Tirthankara as Neminatha. The pedestal is not significantly made. However, it contains the usual lion-niches of the mukhapattika. Other associate features are similar to those met with in Cave 15, like maladharis, gajakalasha near the head of the image, while chamaradharis are shown near the legs,
Cave 17: This lies on a much higher contour and as we look up from outside we feel that it is inaccessible. However, it is connected internally through the northern interior wall of Cave No. 16 by an ascending flight of steps to the open portico of this cave.
The portico is rectangular and measures 8x5 m. There are three openings in the cave. They are built over a columnade of two pillars. It has a 1.5 m. wide chhajja running from south to north and supported by two brackets, cut from the natural rock in the centre.
The superstructure of the cave is cut in relief to a depth of 50 cm. to bring out the outline, as seen over the central region above the cave. It has a truncated conical appearance with longitudinal curved ribs from the top to the prasthara that formed the base of the ceiling of the temple. As already stated, it recalls the rekhanagara temples or prasadas of the period.
This cave has an inscription referring to one Gunabhadra of Kastasangha dated to the year 1525 A.D.
The Image : The back wall of the cave interior bears the standing image of the Adinatha. It measures 8 m. lengthwise and 2.5 m. across the shoulders. The associate features like maladharis at the top, chamaradharis on either side of the waist are seen.
The chinhapitha bears the figures of a vrsabha, the bull. On either side, the mulanayaka is shown with torana pillars carrying the gajakalasa motif.
In front of the cave, there is a squarish platform of side 1.5 m. It can be identified as the sarvatobhadirka. Similar squarish structures have been encountered in the portico of cave 10. It is evidently meant to keep the flowers and oblations by the devotees.
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