Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior

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

Page 84

Tirthankara (right): On the western wall away towards the right of mulanayaka, there is another standing Tirthankara.
The image stands to a height of 2 1/2 m. over an insignificant pedestal. The hands are stretched and the palms have padmas in the palms. Behind the head, a double foliated lotus medallion is seen. The figure is flanked by a standing devotees with a kamandala below, while at the top, there are standing chamaradharis. The chinha is not indicated, as such, it is difficult to say to which Tirthankara it refers to.
Tirthankara (left): Farther away towards the left on the western wall, almost adjacent to the northern wall, there is a seated Tirthankara. He is placed over an ornate pitha measuring 2 m.x50 cm. the lower one is the usual simhapitha with the cihnapitha over it.
The mukhapattika of the chinhapitha carries the figure of a goat, as such, the Tirthankara can be identified as Kunthunatha, the 17th in the series. No doubt, the figure is shown seated in padmasana with the palms placed one over the other, as in all Tirthankar figures. But, the knees, the thigh muscles and the fore hands suffered damage from the iconoclasts. Besides these, the face is also obliterated. However, the maladharis yaksas and standing attendant deities on either side, the gajakalasha motif, the hemisphercial lotus halo behind the head are completely preserved.
Again towards the extreme north, the cave space is occupied by a panel of three Tirthankaras in a squarish niche of side 2 m. They are shown between two decorated pillars, the end of which, has wavy floral garlands, emerging on either side from lamp like capitals. The panel of the three Tirthankaras in a line can be identified as Tritirthika (plate 16). All the three are sculptured exquisitely in the niche.
Cave (Relief) No. 19:
This is not a cave. It is a flaked area on a stone, with a shallow cutting. Hence, it is shown as a relief. In this, there are three reliefs. These reliefs are not approachable because of their high inaccessible location corresponding to balcony of former Cave No. 18. These do not have a regular stepway. On the other hand, they lie as high as 10 m. cut is rectangular spaces to a depth of 25 cms. above the common verandah in front of cave series. The area is divided into 3 niches. The first one measures 3 x2 m. The second is a small niche, in line towards north. It measures 1 x.75 m. The third occupies slightly a bigger area and measures 1.25 x 1m. As stated, these are not deep cut caves. Moreover, they are shown in niches with their reliefs of Tirthankaras.
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