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101
Description and Chronology of Caves
more figures can be made out. A trace of similar couple can be seen in a corner near
the right front pillar. 13. Figures: The ceilings of central niches are also painted. In the niche depicting
Bahubali's penance is a trace of painting. There were originally three panels of which only the central panel is extant. Only a portion of lower part remains showing a couple. Their heads have disappeared which were towards the inside of the hall.
J20
This cave, opposite J19 is very similar to it in plan, size, iconographic programme and number of icons, though it is more ornate. This cave is also at the lower level than J18. Like J19, a room in the right side, behind the verandah of J18, leads to J20A, which in turn leads to the left end of verandah of J20. This room is of the same size as the room on the left and is plain.
J20A
J20A is about 1.4m by 0.9m. The doorway from the larger room to J20A has three sakhas in the inner side. The outermost sakha is stambha. It has a square shaft surmounted by a kalasa with a plain rim, carved with a nāsi. The shaft is carved with a vertical band of creeper surmounted by festoons and a band of lozenges and circles. Above the halasa are three tațis, a squarish kumbha, padma and a phalaka. The next sakha is a rupa sakha, carved with seated couples in añjali mudrā on the doorjambs and garland bearer above the door. The innermost śākhā is ratna. On the pedyā of the stambha sakha is a kumbhavāhini, while on the rupa śākha is a dvārapala. There is a flower in the lintel. Two plain steps lead down to J20. On each sidewall is an icon.
Sculptures
Icon No.
Icon
Icon Size
Ambika
1.42m by Im
Distinct Features Right hand broken, mātulunga in the left hand, child standing to left (Fig. 33a)
Chakresvari
| 1.35m by 0.86m
Four-armed figure seated ardhapadmāsana. Chakras in the upper hands, lower right hand damaged and vajra in lower left hand. Makara arch with scated Jina above. A large figure of male devotee, seated in mahārājalilasana with hands in anjali mudra, nearby. He appears to be an important person (Fig. 33b).
J20: As J19, it also has a verandah, a hall and a shrine on the ground plan (Fig. 28). On elevation, it has mattavāraṇa, kakṣāsanas, two pillars and two pilasters on the kakşasanas,
