Jaina Monuments Of Orissa

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

Page 82

Jaina Monuments of Orissa
Cave No. 9. Mañchapuri-Svargapuri-Gumphā
Further south-west we come across this two storeyed range of caves designed somewhat in the style of the queen's palace (Rāni-Gumphā) bur on a reduced scale. The upper part of this two storeyed cave is known as Svargapuri-Gumphā whereas the lower part including the cell at its side is known as Mañchapuri-Gumphā.
Mañchapuri-(Lower storey)
The lower storey along with the wing consists of four cells. The main wing comprises of a suite of three cells, two in a line facing the west and one on the south. The whole range is fronted by a benched verandah. The ceiling of the back cells is slightly curved and the floor raised behind as usual. Major portions of the four pillars are of modern restorations. The brackets on the pillars are provided with figures of women and pairs of cavaliers. The five door-ways are flanked by side pilasters on ghata bases and crowning elements containing addorsed animals. The sami-circular bands relieved with floral devices, creepers and animals chased by boys. They are crowned by either Srivatsa or nandi pada. Both the wings are guarded by armed Dvārapālas.
The most important aspect of this cave is the badly damaged relief, the subject of which is no doubt the worship of some religious symbol carved on the space between the second-third door-ways of the main wing. The remaining space between the arches is relieved with three barred railings are supported by dwarfish figures. Between the third and the fourth arches occurs the inscription recording the dedication of this cave by Kūdepasiri or Kadampasiri, king of the Mahamegharāhana dynasty of Kalinga.
A similar dedicatory inscription of Prince (kumāra) named Vadukha occurs on the facade of the side cell. To the west of this cell there is a smail room running cast and west with two doors and a verandah divided into two intcr columinations by a heavy pillar. At the corner there is one guardian figure.
In front of the courtyard, the ground plan of a ruined cave is recently exposed. Svargapuri (Upper storey)
The upper storey consists of a long low roofed back ceil with three doors and a side cell with one entrance. The benched verandah in front is exposed due to the collapse of the verandah roof and its supporting pillars. The side room has in the middle of the western wall, a window. The heavily repaired side pilasters are crowned with winged animals and the arches springing over them are relieved with floral devices and creepers commencing from the mouths of makaras. The arches are connected by the representation of barrel-vaulted roof, with bracket figures below and finials above. The recoz of the chief queen of Khāravela is engraved in the space between the second and third arches dedicates this cave to the monks of Kalinga. The ceiling of the main cell is designed flat contrary to the side cell which is in curved shape. The floors have been raised at the back as usual.