Jaina Monuments Of Orissa

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

Page 83

Survey of Jaina Monuments of Orissa
The outer face of the terrace infront is relieved with a three barred railing the uprights of which are shown with lotus medallions. The base of the railing is carved. with a procession of elephants and other animals.
Cave No. 10, Gaṇeśa-Gumphã (Fig.4)
Located a little distance away from Räni-Gumpha this cave consists of two dwelling cells with a benched verandah in front. The verandah is reached from the courtyard by a flight of four steps. The ceiling of the cell is somewhat low and flat but the floor raised at the back. In the partition wall between cells is a small window opening.
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The left cell has a Tirthankara image carved in relief on its back wall. Seated in yogamudra, the figure is devoid of any lanchana. It was once plastered with shell lime. Similarly on the back wall of the right cell, a Gaṇeśa image is carved. The date of carving of the Ganefa image can be inferred approximately from an inscription in five lines to the right of the figure which reveals that it was incised by a physician named Bhimmata, son of Nannata during the reign of the Bhauma king Santikara, who according to the Dhauli cave inscription of the same Bhimmata was ruling in Bhauma year 93 i.e. A.D. 829.
Each room has two door openings flanked by side pilasters. Over the door-ways are tympana capped by arch bands. The arches are relieved with floral devices and creepers issuing forth from the mouths of makaras and topped by nandipada and Srivatsa symbols. Spaces between the first and the second door-ways on the one hand and the third and fourth on the other are relieved with two scenes, each above a railing supported by three squattish pot-bellied male and female figures.
The two cells are opened to a common benched verandah in front whose flat roof is supported by a series of massive pillars. Small brackets protruding from the pillars and side pilasters are relieved with human figures displaying stalks of flowers, spouted vessels, trays, etc. Lintels designed in original rock connect the pillars. The cup-board and the lower part of the front wall are provided with railings. Infront of the left pilaster is carved a standing guard. Above its head on the outer face of the bracket is a couching humped bull.
The flight of steps leading to the verandah is flanked by a pair of elephants displaying flowers in their trunks.
The first frieze on the facade of Gaṇeśa-Gumpha is almost the repetition of the one carved in the second full spandril of the upper main wing of Rant-Gumpha. The second scene of the same facade is often linked with the Udayana-Vasavadatta episode.
Three more scoopings are noticed to the left of Gaṇeśa-Gumphã, two of which are in one block of stone.