Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior

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

Page 92

along a ramp, from the common verandah of the cave complex. The ramp is 11/2 m. wide. The entrance has a dignified doorway with ornate pillared capitals on sides. The dvarasakhas on either side have triangular toranas, in intricate trellis work, carved along the lintel. The edges are pendentive. Relatively, the door-sill is not decorative.
The Antarala : This is a vestibule or a narrow passage from the entrance into the garbhagrha, the place of the image. It could be identified as the antarala. It measures 5x1m.
The Garbhagrha : This is the interior lower chamber of the three chambered shrine of the cosmic image of the Tirthankara, rising vertically all along the high western back wall. It is rectangular and measures 8 x 5 m. The height is made identical with the other two stories of height 7 m. Looking up, we find, that the face of image cannot be seen. Moreover, there are two ceilings of the middle and the lower chambers that come in the way. The ceilings have a prominent opening to allow the image going up to the ceiling of the upper chamber, along the back wall.
Towards the northeast of the entrance, a narrow flight of steps is provided that give access to the upper two floors. Thus, the cave is divided in three parts. Of these, the lower part forming the garbhagrha is less decorative with only the feet and the legs of the deity, covering upto the knees. The other two upper chambers are identical and impressively excavated. The dimensions of the chambers are same with a uniform square plinth of side 8 m. and height 7 m.
Again, the ceilings of the lower and middle floors, have semi-circular openings that allow enough space of 2.5 m. of arms width of the image so as to make it visible from each floor. The inspiring image excavated, runs to a maximum height of 19 m. all along the three floors.
The Middle Chamber : A flight of steps towards northeast corner of the garbhagrha chamber is provided to reach the landing of the middle chamber. It has an entrance from the north and has a small opening in the eastern wall. The chamber is dark, both in mornings and evenings. Light enters into it, only an hour earlier to noon. The image is seen between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun rays enter straight. The parts of the image seen from this chamber are (a) the thighs, (b) hands and (3) the waist. Through the open portion of the ceiling in the western wall, the upper part the image is seen the whole day, but the lower portion of the body could be seen only in the noon.
On either side of the image in the middle chamber, away from the decorated pillars of
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