Jaina Monuments Of Orissa

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

Page 80

Jaina Monuments of Orissa
lotuses and plants. The tympanum contains letters of a dedicatory inscription. Below the sculptured facade is a three-barred railing, the up rights of which are relieved with half lotus medallions.
Cave No.4-Alakāpuri-Gumpha
The Alakāpuri-Gumphā comprises of two spacious cells in two storeys. As a result of ruthless quarrying, the lower cell has been rendcred destitute of its front wall and verandah and presents a bare appearance. The only pilaster of the verandah contains a much damaged bracket and a pair of winged horses.
The upper storey of this cave is entered through a series of steps in front of cave No.5. Like the lower storey the roof of the upper cell is convex in shape. This cell is entered by three door ways. The wall between the first two door-ways has fallen down. The floor of the cell was originally raised at the back but later on the raised portion has been removed.
Most parts of the pillars and the floor of the verandah have been renovated. Two shelves are noticed on the side walls of the verandah. The verandah roof is flat in shape.
The brackets of the upper storey are relieved with animal figures like lions and elephants some of which with wings and others with human and bird heads. One of the inner brackets contain the figure of four-tusked elephant flanked by two she-elephants. The other bracket is carved with a lion holding its prey in mouth. The left pilaster depicts a man carrying a woman in his left arm and pressing the trunk of the elephant in the right. In the same place of the right pilaster is an elephant entwined by a snake near a tree.
To the right of this cave is a small cell with a closed verandah entered from the side. Its floor has been raised at the back but the ceiling of the verandah and the cell are all flat. It has only one door opening on one side of the verandah is a bench. The end of the verandah ceiling is lowered at the end to prevent rain water entering into the cell.
Cave No. 5- Jaya-Vijaya-Gumphā
Jaya-Vijaya-Gumphā is a two celled cave excavated in a higher ledge near Alakāpuri-Gumphā. The lower part of this cave, an austerely plain cell with a spacious entrance and a fairly high arched ceiling.
The upper storey contains two cells having flat roofs, raised floors and separate door openings. The flat roofed benched verandah is supported by a massive pillar of modern restoration. The lintel designed in living rock extends on either sides of the pillar. The over hanging portions of the verandah roof prevents rain water entering