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Jaina Rock-cut Caves in Western India uttaranga of the doorway. Between these Jinas is carved a standing figure of Supārsvanatha to right and Parsvanātha to left (Plate 109). The same pattern is also followed in the iconographic programme of the cave, wherein large figures of Supārsvanatha and Parsvanātha are carved flanking the shrine doorway.
This group of temples is quite compact and almost all temples are contemporary. The temple no. 2 carries a Sanskrit inscription, on the right wall of the hall. It is dated to Saka 1063 or 1142 CE (Indraji 1883: 126-129). Thus, the cave can also be dated to the same period
Moreover, the iconographic features of the cave also indicate a date in 12th century CE. All the Jina icons, including the main icon, are either tri or pancha tirthikā. To the Jina parikara are now added elephants, shown lustrating the Jina. The elephants are also present in the throne, a feature, which was introduced in some of the icons at Ellora and which becomes a regular feature from now on. The padmāsana and śrivatsa mark along with the water channel and the pit indicate a late date. The introduction of a different pair of yakşa-yakşi for each Jina was made in some of the intrusive icons at Ellora. The feature continues here also. Thus, though yaksa remains Sarvānubhuti, the yakşi is Padmāvati, at least in the case of the main icon. The occurrence of Kshetrapala and Hanuman and appearance of Chakresvari as an independent goddess suggest a late date. Thus, both architectural and iconographic evidences indicate that the cave was excavated sometime in the middle of 12th century.
ANKAI-TANKAI, YEOLA TALUKA, NĀSĪK DISTRICT (20°10'N; 74°25'E)
The twin hills of Ankai-Tankai lie 9.65 km north of Yeola near Manmad-Ahamadanagar road (Plate 110). The Daund-Manmad section of the central railway has a railway station at Ankai. On the hill of Ankai is the strongest hill fort of the district, situated about 274.32 m above the plain. On the ascent to the connecting ridge of the Ankai-Tankai hills and on the way to the fort, there are ten caves, excavated on the southern face, at the height of around 30m to 40m above the plain.
The best route to reach the caves is from the railway station of Ankai Killa, which can be reached by Manmad-Daund passenger. From the station, the Ankai village is around 2 km. To the north of the village is the way leading up to the fort. Now a proper stairway has been built by the Archaeology department, most probably on the ancient road or steps. The caves are reached after climbing around 80 steps. These are numbered from the west to east. The caves follow the bends of the hill. Thus, the first four caves are in a west to east line, facing south, while the next four caves follow southwest to southeast direction as these are cut at an angle to the first four caves and face southeast. The last two caves are cut below Caves V and VI and they also face southeast.
This group of caves was first described by Wilson, who considered them Buddhist (1847-48: 69-71). It was briefly mentioned by Burgess (1877: 19). Later on, Fergusson and Burgess provided a detailed description of first four caves, along with ground plan of Cave I and line drawing of hall doorway of Cave I and approximate age of these caves (1880: 505-508, Plates XCIV, XCV). In the supplement to the aforementioned work, some additions were made to the description and the ground plans of Caves II, III and IV, line drawings of lower storey hall doorway of Cave II, hall ceiling of Cave III as well as a
