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Jaina Rock-cut Caves in Western India inscription. The ornate and elaborate nature of the cave indicates affinity with the temples of 11th-12th century CE as the later temples of 14th century CE are quite simple.
There are not many iconographic evidences, but the representation of Dhāranendra-Padmāvati on the pedyā of the hall doorway, padmāsana of the main icon as well as other small Jina icons in the verandah and the depiction of the lanchhana of the main icon suggest a late date. Moreover, the architectural similarities with Caves I, II and III at Anka - Tankai in terms of use of structural parts, presence of benches for installing loose icons and a very few icons carved in situ, indicate that this cave can also be dated to the latter half of 12th century CE. The inscription was perhaps written later on. Surprisingly, although the verandah and the pillars are very ornate, the main icon is quite plain. The reason appears to be the poor quality of rock. It becomes clear when one notices that the ornate portions, except the ceiling of the verandah are structural.
WASHALE OR VASE, MOKHADA TALUKA, THANE DISTRICT
(19° 52'N; 73° 21'E)
The village of Washale is about 8 km south of Mokhada. To the south of the village is a low hill On the northern face of the hill, is excavated a cave. It is cut at the height of about 15m, from the base of the hill and faces north. This cave was briefly described by Burgess and Cousens (1897: 113).
It is a simple cave, partially structural, with two crude icons of Jina.
Description
The cave has an open court, a half-enclosed verandah and a hall (Fig. 63, Plate 131). The court is in the form of a raised platform on each side of the steps leading to the verandah. The platform to the right is 0.95m wide, 1.83m deep and 0.62m high and to left it is 2.6m wide, 2.16m deep and 0.62m high. The front of the platform on each side is fashioned like the adhisthana of structural temples. It has the mouldings of bhitta, jadyakumbha, antarpaita, tripatta kumuda, antarpatta and kapota (Fig. 64a, Plate 132). Though the platform to the left is 2.6m long, the front of the platform is carved only for around Im. There is a cistern, about 1.6 to 1.72m long and 2.5m wide, beyond the platform to left. At present it is dry and filled with debris. The cistern can be approached by a step in front. The central step of the stair to the verandah is carved with chandrašila and diamonds in front (Fig. 64b).
The verandah is 3.25m wide at the back and 3.82m wide in the front. It is 1.8m deep along the right and 1.7m deep along the left. It is half enclosed with dwarf walls and has only partial ceiling, covered with loose slabs resting on two structural pillars, each about 2.65m high. The base of the pillar is square with mouldings and a triangular plate on each side. The shaft rises in a square block, followed by an octagonal one then again by square and octagonal portions. The shaft is sourmounted by kalaša, flattish kumbha, tați and phalaka with triangular plates dropping on corners, which gives an appearance of pürnaghata. The bracket is two-armed and with single roll (Fig. 64c, Plate 133). The bracket. phalaka and kumbha, kalasa along with the shaft are each a separate slab of stone. While the base of the right pillar is made of three stones, that of the left pillar is
