Book Title: Jaina Rock Cut Caves In Western India Part 01
Author(s): Viraj Shah
Publisher: Agam Kala Prakashan

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Page 180
________________ Jaina Rock-cut Caves in Western India The hall was reported to be rough and not properly squared (Nasik District Gazetteer 1975: 877). Now, it is floored with marble slabs. It is around 8m wide and 6m deep. There is a bench running along the sidewalls and the back wall. On the right sidewall was reported a chauvisi which is present with a number of changes. In addition, there is a loose icon on each side of the chauvisi. At the right end of the bench is another loose mage and on the left end are three loose images. All these loose icons are modern. On the back wall of the hall above the bench, there are three figures of seated Parsvanatha flanked by a standing chauri bearer. The central and the largest Parsvanatha is also accompanied by Sarvanubhuti on the right and Ambika on the left in addition to the chauri bearers. On the extreme left of the back wall were reported figures of Bahubali standing under a foliage, part of a standing male and other unfinished figures (Nasik District Gazetteer 1975: 877), all of which have disappeared now. On the bench on the left sidewall are kept a few loose icons. This bench is paved with marble slabs. Sculptures 1. Standing Jina: This figure is carved on the back wall of the verandah to the right of the main door. It was reported to be the figure of "Parsvanatha with a five-hooded snake above the head". To his right was a female attendant about 0.08 m high with a single cobra hood over the head. To her right was a man kneeling on one knee (Nasik District Gazetteer 1975: 877). This female figure was of Padmavati and the male figure was subjugated Kamatha as commonly found in the scene depicting Kamatha's attack on Parsvanatha. But now what remains is a standing Jina without snake-hoods or the attendants. He has a flower-shaped śrivatsa on the chest. 154 2. Standing Jina: This figure is on the back wall of the verandah to the left of the main door. He was reported to be Bahubali, about 1.55m high and was attended by two female figures about 1.35m high (Nasik District Gazetteer 1975: 877). But now he is turned into a Jina, similar to the one on the right of the main door. He is shown with curly hair on the head. 3. Chauvisi On the right sidewall of the hall was reported a chauvisi, a panel of twenty-four Jinas. The main icon was a seated Rṣabhanatha, since his lanchhana bull was carved on the throne. This figure measured 0.25m. He was seated in padmasana on a throne, which had a bull in the centre. On the throne hung a canopy below, which in the centre had a male figure about 0.09m. To the left of the throne was a squatting figure beyond which were two standing males, each around 0.12m. The lower part of the other side of the throne was unfinished. Beyond Rṣabhanatha was a figure of seated Jina, one on each side, measuring about 0.12m. Each Jina had a male attendant. Round this group were twentyone shallow recesses, five down each side of the three seated Jinas, three on each side sloping up, one under each of the lowest one on the slopes and one over each shoulder of Rṣabhanatha. Each recess measuring 0.04m had a figure of seated Jina in it. These, with

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