Jaina Monuments Of Orissa

Author(s): R P Mohapatra
Publisher: D K Publications

Page 79

Survey of Jaina Monuments of Orissa
The sixth scene of the series has completely been destroyed. The seventh much mutilated, seems to represent amorous scenes between a male and female repeated three times. The eighth panel, now much damaged shows the outlines of an elephant on the right and feet of two men on the left. The ninth compartment repeats the flying figure of the first.
The verandah is guarded by men mounted on animals.
Right wing
The right wing is formed of a narrow Verandah and a compartment with two door openings devoid of side pilasters and semicircular top mouldings. A continuous bench is running on the three sides of the verandah. The verandah roof is supported by a massive pillar of modern restoration with a bracket depicting a female figure. The guards against the side pilasters of the verandah represent a kilted man with boots on the left and a pot-bellied person dressed in dhoti and heavy turban on the right. The roof of the cell is flat and floor raised at the back.
Left wing
The left wing has two rooms, one opening into the other. The one directly accessible from the terrace has a raised bench on its three sides. The former has one door opening and is devoid of any guardian figure. The narrow verandah had two pilasters but no pillars. The cell is lighted by a small window in the wall of the inner chamber.
Cave No.2. Bājāghara-Gumphā
Bājāghara-Gumphā consists of two independent cells with a flat roofed verandah in front. The left cell, the front wall of which is damaged has the pilaster relieved with a pair of animals standing back to back with head of birds. The pillar has on its top pairs of winged animals. The ceiling of this cell is carved and floor raised at the back.
The right cell whose front wall and pillar are gone still preserves the side pilasters. Floor of the cell is of modern restoration and roof curved like the left cell. The architrave is now supported by two modern masonry pillars.
Cave No.3 Chhota-Hāthi-Gumphā
The cave is represented by a low roofed cell and the carvings of a series of six elephants on its facade. A boulder on the top provides natural protection to the carvings on the facade.
The ceiling of the cell is flat and the floor raised at the back. The pointed arch band over the door-way is supported by two pilasters, the capitals of which are crowned by winged animals. The arched band damaged at the left is depicted with full blown