________________
Description and Chronology of Caves
79 and panjaranāsi is a low hāra with a single nāsikostha. The second tala has only central panjaranāsi. The karnakutas are absent here. The panjaranāsis are similar to those in the first tala, but here in the gadha is a figure of seated Jina. The vyālamala above the kapota of the second tala includes elephant figures also. The prati corners have bhutanayaka figures. Of these, only those in the northwestern and the southwestern corners survive. The grivā is octagonal with a tiny koştha, formed by two pillars, on each face. The śikhara is visnuchhanda with an ornamental näsi on each face. In the gādha of each nāsi is carved a tiny model of vimāna śikhāra. The stupi is missing (Plate 22).
Each of the verandahs is around 2.3m by 0.92m and has two pillars. The ceiling of the southern verandah has a lotus.
The shrine is around 2.5sq.m. It has a lotus with three concentric rows on the ceiling. At the corners of shrine are brahmakānta pilasters. In the centre of the shrine is a chaumukha, about 1.7m by 0.8m. On the each face is a figure of a seated Jina. On the upper portion of the chaumukha is an alpanāsi on each face.
J9
To the southwest of the above shrine is a free-standing mānastambha. It had fallen in three parts in the last century and is now restored. It is about 8.2m high. The base is triratha. It has the mouldings of upāna, jagati, padma, tripatta kumuda, padma and prati. The shaft rises in the square block surmounted by an octagonal portion, sixteen sided portion, band of beaded design and fluted round portion. At the lower and the upper parts of the octagonal portion is carved a double band of lotus petals. On the square block of the shaft is carved a slightly projecting panjarakoştha on each face with two pilasters supporting a heavy kapota and panjaranāsi above. Within this pañjarakostha is a standing figure of a vidyadhara, carved under a makara törana rested on pilasters. Each of these figures holds a flower in one hand, while the other hand is in vismaya mudrā. Behind the panjaranasi are two bands of intricate designs. Above the round portion is a fluted kalasa, ribbed double tati, fluted kumbha with a median band, fluted padma and a phalaka. On the phalaka is a chaumukha with a seated figure of a corpulent yakşa seated in ardhapadmāsana on a lotus and with hands on the knees on all the four sides (Plate 23).
The elephant to the southeast of the monolithic shrine is also free-standing. It stands on an oval-shaped pedestal. It faces the west. The tusks are broken, while on the body is a double band (Plate 57).
J10
This cave on the right side of the court has a half-enclosed hall and a shrine (Fig. 18). Curiously, on the right side, the hall is enclosed with kakşāsanas to some length as on left, but is closed with a solid wall after that, part of which is renovated by the ASI (Plate 31). On elevation, it has mattavāraņa, kakşāsanas and dwarf pillars on kaksāsanas. The mattavāraṇa is decorated with pilasters alternating with elephant heads. The elephant heads are executed beautifully with an ornamental band on the head and creeper in the trunk. The kakşāsanas are carved with purnaghata alternating with two thin pilasters and a band of creeper above. There are two dwarf pillars and a pilaster on the kakşāsanas to left.
