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Description and Chronology of Caves
151 6. Standing Jina: 1.7m by 0.7m
The figure is shown standing on the right sidewall of the hall, on a lotus with nine petals. His head is shown in dots and has a round halo. On the chest is a diamond-shaped śrivatsa. Like other Jinas, he does not have trivali grivā. His ears touch the shoulders, while above the head is a triple chhatra with kalaša on the top like the main Jina. Among the attendants are garland bearers, chauri bearers and drum players, all shown above the shoulders of the Jina. While only the heads of drum players are shown flanking the chhatra, garland bearers are shown below them. The chauri bearers are shown till the thighs as if standing behind the throne back though it is not depicted.
At the level of the elbow of this Jina are two small figures of seated Jinas on each side. Each sits in a niche about 0.17m by 0.21m, while the Jina measures 0.15m by 0.17m. All these four Jinas sit in padmasana.
Memorial Pillar: Outside the cave, at the southern end is a pillar, cut in the rock, which looks like a hero stone or a memorial pillar. It is 1.65m long and 0.45m wide. On its western face is a small, seated Jina below which are two figures in añjali mudrā. On its eastern face is a man seated on a horse behind whom stands a man holding a sort of utensil on the head with both the hands. In front of the horse rider is another similar figure. The horse rider has each hand on the utensil of each figure. Below them are shown two figures sideways as if sleeping. One has hands in anjali while the other has them stretched. On the northern face is a shallow empty niche below which is an indistinct figure perhaps riding some animal. It is difficult to identify these figures.
To the north of the cave is a water cistern about 1.3m by 0.8m. Four shallow steps cut in the rock lead to the cistern.
Sita's Nahni
To the north of the cistern is another cave. It has a verandah and a hall (Fig. 45C). The verandah is around 8.4m wide with two roughly blocked out pillars. The hall is around 7.2m wide and 3.9m deep. There are two rough pillars in the centre. The cave is irregular and empty. It is either unfinished or was used by some Jaina monks to stay, as it is adjacent to the Jaina cave.
Date
According to Fergusson and Burgess, the cave is of the same age as Ellora and can therefore be dated to 9th-10th century CE. (1880: 492-93). Naik dates it to around 1000 CE (1947: 369-370).
There is nothing specific in the plan and the pillars of the cave, which can be useful in determining its age. Though architecturally quite crude, the cave displays some of the fine sculptures. The icon of Ambikā is unquestionably comparable to Ambika icons from Ellora. With its graceful posture, fine features, and type of ornaments, it is related to Ellora examples, though it lacks the detailed and fine workmanship of Ellora. It also lacks the attendants, especially the 'Brāhmaṇa' with a chhatra. Even her vāhana is omitted. A major shift from Ellora is seen in the asana of Jina figures. While the main
