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MONUMENTS & SCULPTURE A.D. 600 TO 1000
[PART IV
the adhisthana of the kapota bandha type. The wall above is correspondingly relieved and recessed, the reliefs combined by flat uniformly tetragonal pilasters, carrying capitals of the order consisting of the kalasa (lasma), tddi, kumbha, palt and phalaka (abacus). The potikas (corbels) are elegant with curved profile and taranga (roll-markings) with a plain median band paffa. The prastara or architrave, likewise relieved and recessed on each side of the structure, is marked by a well-formed and flexed kapota or cornice, with kūd u-embellishments at intervals, coming over the uttira (beam) and valabhi and with dandikalike supports projected from the valabhi strutting up the forwardly-thrown cornice at intervals. The vestigial remains over the prastara would indicate the original presence of a hora of kūtas and salas, the former over the corner offsets of the wall and prastara, hence karna-küfas, and the latter over the two intervening cardinal offsets. The corner and intervening offsets from the wallface or the bhadras on each side carry plain niches or deva-kosthas for the reception of figure-sculpture, now missing. The central recess on the lateral and hind walls have perforated windows to light the two antaralas of the two side shrines and the intervening, but closed, passage at the rear of the central and between the two lateral shrines. Its outer pilasters and their forms, the bays with deva-kosthas and the recesses, its prastara or terrace-composition, the vestigial hdra of the anarpita-type standing away from the upper storey, the upper storey itself, though bereft of the crowning griva sikhara and stüpl (which, if present, would have been of octagonal plan), all strongly point to the southern vimana-model. It is to be pointed out in this context that all the CalukyanRastrakūta temples of Jaina dedication at Aibole and elsewhere in the Calukyan country are invariably of the southern order or storeyed vimana types, while the Brāhmanical ones include also the northern rekha-prdsada type.
To this main structure is added a front ardha-mand apa of lesser sides and oblong with a flight of steps in front and with the same type of adhisthana and wall-pilasters and prastara. It is into its south wall that the slab with Pulakėsin's inscription is built and as such this would form part of the original temple. All these would emphasize the original scheme as a simple square principal part, with a central sanctum and sandhara passage between the inner and outer walls all round, with a lesser ardha-mandapa in front, and the walling of the passage into compartments forming the rear lateral subsidiary shrines with their antardias as afterthoughts. To tho whole complex is added a slightly later and larger mahd-mand apa of broadly the same style in front on the axial line. All original sculptures are lost, except for a large seated Jina (Vardhamana) on the back wall and that of his Yaks! Siddhāyikā now in the front corridor.
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