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Description and Chronology of Caves J17
This cave is in the left end of the verandah of J15 at the first lap of the stairway to the upper storey. It has a hall and a shrine (Fig. 18, Plate 24).
The hall is enclosed in the front by kaksāsanas with a flight of two steps in the centre. On the elevation, it has mattavārana and kaksāsanas. The mattavāraṇa is carved with pilasters alternating with elephant heads. The kaksāsanas are carved with decorative purnaghatas alternating with a pair of pilasters and a frieze of creeper on the top. The front of the hall must have been enclosed by a screen as suggested by four grooves on the ceiling and two grooves on the upper portion of the kaksāsanas on each side. The hall is 2.3m by 1.6m. On the ceiling is a lotus of eight petals.
A flight of two steps with hastihasta and chandrašila leads to the shrine. The shrine doorway has one plain sakha. The shrine is 2.3m by 1.85m. In the left sidewall, there is a small L-shaped room. It is around 1.4m wide and 1.4m deep. The purpose of this room is not known.
Sculptures
Icon
Size
Distinct Features
Icon No
Hall 2.43m by 1.78m
Kamatha's attack on Pärsvanatha
Sarvānubhūti Ambika Penance of Bahubali
1.93m by 1.09m | 1.9m by 1.07m 2.43m by 1.72m
Shrine 2.28m by 2.45m
Six attackers, one of which is a lion face with both the hands in his own mouth (Fig. 27a). (Fig. 27b) (Fig. 27d) (Fig. 27e)
Seated Jina
(Fig. 27c)
Paintings
There are traces of paintings on the hall ceiling. Though unclear, it appears to have nine squares divided by thick borders. While the central square is carved with a lotus, the other squares are painted. The borders are painted with geometrical designs and the squares have few celestial figures. None of the icons have traces of plaster or paint.
Main Cave-J15 & J18
The main cave at the back of the courtyard is double-storied.
J15
This is the lower storey of the main cave, which is unfinished. It was planned to have a verandah, a hall, an antechamber and a shrine (Fig. 18). Of these, the verandah and the shrine are finished, while the hall is just marked out.
