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Jaina Rock-cut Caves in Western India
The antechamber is 2.55m wide and is 2.44m deep along the right and 2.35m along the left. It has two niches, similar to those in the hall, in each sidewall. Thus, in total there are twenty-four niches and a small niche in the cave.
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The shrine doorway, measuring 2.33m by 1.85m, has three sakhas, of which only the central, stambha sakha is decorative (Fig. 65d). The pilaster in the stambha sakha has a shaft rising in square block surmounted by an octagonal portion carved with petals, round portion with a band in the middle, purnaghata, kalasa with a triangular plate, rați. flattish kumbha, and a padma. There are no figures on the pedya. The mandaraka is plain and there is a chandraśila in front. On the uttaranga are three pieces of khura type mouldings. The figure in the lintel is not very clear, but seems to be Gaṇeśa.
The shrine is 2.5m wide along the back and 2.25m at the front. It is 2.47m deep along the right and 2.43m along the left. The ceiling is 2.3m high. There is a throne or a bench along the back wall. It is around 1.1m by 0.6m and 0.33m high. A sort of chandraśila is carved on it. There is no icon on the throne. There is a niche on the left sidewall, about 0.73m by 0.46m and 0.24m deep.
Paintings
There are traces of thick, white plaster on the various parts of the cave, though no traces of paint can be seen. The tōrana portion of the niches is almost covered with the plaster. This plaster is obviously much later than the cave and was applied by Ahalyabai Holkar in the 18th century.
Date
This cave has been dated to the 10th-11th century CE on the basis of kani moulding on the pillars (Pathy and Dhavalikar 1987: 191-195). Mate and Pathy have dated the cave to the period between 1150 to 1300 CE (1992: 23-24). The date suggested by later scholars is more probable. The relationship of this cave and also other caves of the site with Ellora as suggested by former scholars is very superficial. In fact, the pillars in this cave are of the type commonly found in the monuments belonging to 11th-13th century CE. The octagonal portion on the shaft; carved with typical petal like geometrical designs or padmabandha, square block surmounting the shaft; usually carved with kirtimukhafigures, kani moulding, phalaka and bracket capital with single roll as well as snake hood. are the typical features of the pillars of this age. Thus, the cave can be dated to late 12th or early 13th century CE.
Except the two figures of seated Jinas on the pillars, there is nothing to suggest that the cave is Jaina. The niches need not necessarily be for Jinas. Moreover, as the sectarian affiliation of the other caves on the site cannot be determined, it is very difficult to say anything about this cave also. However, the possibility of this cave being Jaina can not be completely ruled out as the site was a Jaina stronghold during 12th-13th centuries CE as indicated by the finds of a number loose Jaina icons and Jaina temple parts, datable to this period, from the excavation in the fort area.
