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

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Page 188
________________ 162 Jaina Rock-cut Caves in Western India In the back wall is the doorway leading to the shrine. It is moderately decorated (Fig. 48b). It has a plain architrave supported by a pilaster on each side. The pilaster has a square shaft, which has two kaņi mouldings with a triangular plate at the top and in the middle. Between each set of kani mouldings is a square member with kirtimukha. On the shaft below this member and above the lower set of kani mouldings, is a bell with chains. The shaft is surmounted by a capital with cushion shaped member and a ghata shaped member. On the base portion of the shaft is a female standing in tribhanga with a ghata in the inner hand, very much like a river goddess though the vahana is not shown. On the mandaraka is a chandrašila flanked by a kirtimukha. The lintel carries the figure of a seated Jina. The lower portion of the right pilaster is hidden behind the constructed wall. In the inner and outer side of the pilaster is a plain sākha. There is a step leading to the doorway. The back wall of the verandah is carved with two large panels and a few smaller icons. This wall, at the left end has 0.52m wide opening to the hall. There is a small hole in the ceiling at the left corner, near the front wall. It opens to the sky. The hall is 4.95m wide along the back wall and 5m along the front wall. It is 2.55m deep at the right side and 3.07m at the left. There are two steps inside the hall to climb down from the doorway. It is not properly squared. In the centre of the right sidewall is left a mass of rock unexcavated though relieved from the ceiling. On the back wall at each end is a niche, rounded at the top. The niche on right is 1.18m by 0.4m. It is 0.22m deep and about 0.6m from the floor. The niche on the left is 1.08m by 0.4m. It is also 0.22m deep and 0.6m from floor. Between these niches are carved sculptures. On the left sidewall is cut another small niche. It is 0.32m by 0.27m, 0.12m deep and 1.06m from the floor. The hall ceiling is 1.82m high. There is a water cistern, measuring around 0.9m by 0.94m, to the southeast of the cave. Sculptures 1. Kshetrapala: 0.5m by 0.28m To the left of the niche in the back wall of the verandah, is a figure of Bhairava form of Kshetrapala. The figure stands in tribhanga, is nude and is four-armed. In the right upper hand, he holds a sarpa and in the left upper hand, he holds a damaru. In both the lower hands, he holds the coils of the snake held in the right upper hand. The coils of the snake fall in front of the legs as a garland. The tail part of the snake is tied around the neck of the dog, seated on the left, near the feet of the Kshetrapala. Its tail is also entwined around the coil of snake. The dog is seated on its hind legs and is turned opposite to Kshetrapala. The figure of Kshetrapala is adorned in earringss and necklace. 2. Standing Supārsvanātha: 1.64m by 0.84m. This panel covers the entire height of the wall and is placed within a pilastered frame. The capital of each of these pilasters carries a niche with a smaller figure of seated Jina. The figure of Supārsvanātha, measuring 1.25m by 0.4m, stands in kāyotsarga posture on a throne. He has a round halo, a diamond-shaped srivatsa, trivali grivā and long ears

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