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L
ina Architecture of Orissa
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ones are square and the intermediate ones are rendered octagonal by chamfering the corners of the squares. The pillars and pilasters alike of this group are having capitals representing different animal figures resting on corbelled abacus above inverted lotus flower. The third variety is represented through the central pillar of the JagannāthaGumphā which passes througch four, eight, sixteen, eight and four sides with the arrises chamfered so as to achieve the effect of half-medallions. The upper part of most of the pillars and pilasters belonging to the three groups are relieved with enigmatic and winged animal and bird figures seated back to back and a few decorative motifs.
A part from the heavily designed verandah pillars and pilasters, the door-ways of the facade are each flanked by side pilasters on ghata bases above stepped pedestals as a common feature. The ghata bases are either plain or decorated. The shafts of these pilasters are plain or flat, fluted or decorated. Abacus is both in stepped or square shape. But the crowning elements in each case are addorsed animals over plain or bellshaped lotuess. In rare case, however, neckings and cables are noticed.
Brackets seemingly to support the superstructure are noticed on the inner and outer sides of the verandah pillars, and in exceptional cases with the side pilasters. They are designed in the solid rock and have little functional value. Their curved outer faces are filled with decorative motifs, animal and human figures in various poses. In one instance of Rāņi-Gumphā, it is evident that the bracket is detachable as the sockets exist on the pillar and the roof.
Lintels, which usually connect the gap between the door jambs, windows and other openings of a superstructure now-a-days are also appeared in some caves of Khandagiri hill. The verandah pillars and pilasters are connected through these lintels. But as they have been designed in the living rock they may be considered as structural embellishments rather than mechanical devices. Where the lintels have not been fashioned, the pillars directly support the verandah roof.
A distinctive element, in all early rock-cut vihāras, is the arcading, which decorates the walls and which in the Orissan examples, is of an exclusive kind. Instead of being of the horse shoe variety, the arches of the arcades are almost invariably semi-circular and their lower ends corresponding to the springer of a true arch are expanded to enable them to be supported on pilasters. These pilasters have capitals formed of pairs of recumbent animals. These outer edges of these arches are surrounded by svastikas, vadhamangalas or by a triangular pointed crest or finial enclosing a floral ornament or a figure. The style of ornamenting the door frame is common to most of the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri with a few exceptions. These decorations being repeated throughout are greatly diversified and scrolls, single flowers, figures of men and animals have been carved at option without any reference to uniformity. Each frame is complete by itself and except in outline and general character bears no relation to the neighbour. The arched bands over the door-ways of Bāgha-Gumpha, Dhanaghara-Gumpha and Tentuli-Gumphā are, however. left undecorated. In case of Tātowa-Gumpha No. 2, the ends of supporting rafters are distinctly visible in the inner parts of these arched band.
