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Jaina Rock-cut Caves in Western India 1. Flying couple in each square: These couples face the Jinas on the back as well as
sidewall. Their heads, except that of one male, are turned to the main icon. Their gaze is also fixed on Jina. The female in the upper frame has a pātra with offerings in right hand. The male in the lower frame has hands in anjali. Others have hands held up
(Plate 65). 2. Flying couple in each square: This frame is very similar to the above one, but here hands of all the figures are held up.
Though there are traces of plaster on Jinas carved on the sidewalls there are no remains of paint on them. But they are placed within a painted frame. On each side
runs a narrow border of flowers. Above the triple chhatra of Jina is painted a tree. 3. Parsvanatha: The panel on the right front wall depicts Parsvanatha. It is a large
figure, covering the whole height of the wall. The panel is damaged in lower portion. He stands in kayotsarga mudrā, with a halo behind his head and seven-hooded snake
above his head. The coils of the snake are shown behind the body. 4. Bahubali: This panel is also large, covering the entire wall. Bahubali is shown
standing with creepers on his body. He is flanked by two vidyadharis, trying to clear the creepers.
Shrine ceiling
The shrine ceiling is divided into six squares, three in each row. The paintings on the right side are damaged. The middle square in the back row and above the main icon is largest in size. There is no dividing border between this square and the other row. It is painted with a mango tree with a number of mangoes hanging down. The tree signifies the holy tree of Jina and is one of the astapratiharyas. The underside of triple chhata is also painted with five circles, each designed with triangles to make it look like flower.
The left square in the same row has a flying couple heading towards Jina. The male carries a garland in both the hands (Plate 66). The right square of the same row is damaged, but the extant portion shows a couple corresponding to the couple on the left. Only the legs are extant, the position of which suggests that the couples are heading towards Jina.
The right square of the front row is destroyed. The other two squares have a male flanked by females each. Their heads face the back wall of the shrine. In both frames, the male is turned back with head tilted and turned to look at the female. The male figure in one frame is playing the flute, while the male in the other frame is holding the female with one hand, while the other hand is held up. Both the females in the former frame hold a pātra with offerings in one hand. The objects held in the hands of the females in the later frame are not clear. All the females are heading towards the main icon.
Hall
The paintings in the hall are preserved on the ceiling. The overall arrangement indicates that the ceiling of the side aisles had around nine squares each, as suggested by the size of the extant squares and the space left. The ceiling of the central mandapa had a carved lotus within a square with figures painted along its sides. The back aisle had five panels, a
