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Jaina Monuments of Orissa
crowned by a roundel. On either side of the seat of the Tirthankara is a chauri bearer resting one of his hands on the thigh. Behind the head is a roundish halo with raised moulded border having a beaded line in the middle. Around it closely knitted tongues of flames above which is a floral finial.
Triratha in plan, the pedestal has a klurä shaped moulding at the base and a moulded top with a fairly high recess in between. While the pedestal has been left undecorated, the horizontal lintel ard the vertical jambs of the back rest of the throne are elaborately ornamented with beaded lines and a row of flowers between the mouldings. At either end of the lintel is a lotus, while perched above it, are too elaborately conceived makaras. From the bottom side of the lintel hang down two beaded strings ending in a diamond-shaped floral arch. It measures 14.3. c.m. in height.
As reported earlier the hoard contains four Amra or Ambikā figures. The one bearing No. 288 is the best and also the most refreshing icon of the group. She is carved seated in lalitāsana posture on a lotus pedestal displaying a bunch of mangoes in right hand and holding the baby seated on her left thigh. Close to her pendent right leg is a seated child with locks of hair falling on sides and holding a circular object in its right hand. The lotus rests on a footed throne with a moulded base. Her mount, the lion is carved in the central projection of the pedestal. The edges of the lintel and jambs of the back rest are beaded. Near the ends of the lintel is a somewhat amalaka shaped member close to which is a beaded string hanging downwards. Above the lintel are mango twigs laden with fruits. The oval halo behind her head is prominently decorated with a beaded border edged by leaf shaped flames. At the crown of the halo is an ornate floral motif hiding the view of the thick shaft of the umbrella. The latter is a succession of three gradually diminishing chhatras, the top most one being crowned by a conical finial. The figure of Neminātha is absent at the top of the image. The image is elegantly decorated with anklets, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, ear-studs and a crown. Her bun-shaped coiffure is very effectively rendered. Its religious use is noticed from the rubbed off face.
The second figure of Ambika (No. 263) (Fig. 65) bearing almost an analogous treatment in respect of the dress and ornaments with the first is carved seated in lalitāsana pose on a lotus arrayed on a narrow pedestal with a khurā shaped base and two mangoes placed below with the upper member. Against the middle of the front side is the mount lion. In her left hand she holds a child seated in her left thigh and carries a mango with her right palm resting on the knee. The right palm of the child is placed against on the chest. To her right another grown up child is seated with a mango like fruit on his right palm against the chest. The solid oval halo with a raised border of three mouldirga edged by closely knit tongues of flames is fixed to the lotus seat. The mango tree laden with fruits is depicted behind her head. Above the tree is the figure of Tirthankara Neminātha carved seated in yogamudra. His hair is gathered upon the crown in a corical share. Behind him his hale, oval in shape and having a raised border of two mouldings cdged by tongues of flame. At its crown is a floral motif. above which rears up an umbrella with a prominent bud-shaped finial. It measures 14.5 c.m. in height.
