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Description and Chronology of Caves
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by her absence, while a very small figure of Sarvanubhuti has been depicted. However, the occurrence of the tritirthika and pañchatirthika as well as the chauvisi, the padmasana of the main Jina, the throne with elephants and the śrivatsa mark on Jina figures suggest a late date. It is however the presence of Dharanendra-Padmavati, which helps in determining the approximate age of the site. Though Dharanendra-Padmavati are represented in the panel depicting the scene of Kamatha's attack from around 6th century CE, their appearance as independent yakṣa-yakṣi, outside the aforementioned scene is late. A number of goddesses, including Padmavati, appear at Ellora itself, but the yakṣas, other than Sarvanubhuti, are evolved comparatively late. Thus, on the analogy of sites like Ankai-Tankai and Tringalwadi, where yakṣas other than Sarvanubhuti are met with, this site can be dated to around late 12th century CE.
CHANDOR, CHANDOR TALUKA, NASIK DISTRICT (20°20'N; 74°16′E)
Chandor or Chandvad, the taluka headquarters, is situated about 64.37 km northeast of Nasik and 22.53 km north of Lasalgaon railway station. The town lies at the foot of a range of hills known by the same name. In this range are situated some of the most prominent forts of Nasik district. To the west of the Chandor fort and to the east of the town, is the cave. It is locally known as Kalika Devi's temple. It is at the height of about 60m from the plain (Plate 146). There is a rough path leading to the cave.
The cave was briefly described by Wilson along with approximate date (1853: 361362). It was mentioned by Burgess (1877: 18) and later described by Burgess and Cousens (1897: 51). More or less similar description, but with more details and ground plan as well as the line drawings of all the sculptures was provided by Cousens (1931: 49-50, Plate LXIV, LXV). Naik also repeated similar description, besides proposing a date of excavation (1947: 370-371). This cave is not dealt with by Fergusson and Burgess (1880).
Description
This west-facing cave is architecturally quite simple and plain, but carries a wealth of beautifully executed sculptures. It has an open verandah and a hall or a shrine (Fig. 68a). The verandah is nothing but a platform on each side of the door to the hall. The platform to the right is 3.6m long, 1.5m wide and about 0.6m high, while the platform to the left is 2.7m long, 1.8m wide and about 0.5m high. A layer of cow dung has now been applied on these platforms. In the centre of the right platform is a pillar like structure, measuring 1.1m by 0.33m. It is square with a kalaśa on top. On the northern face is a niche in the middle. There is a very indistinct sculpture in the niche. On the southern face are two small plain niches. Other faces are plain. Now, it has been painted. It could be a memorial pillar, but since it is very indistinct, it is difficult to determine its exact nature. The door leading to the hall is 1.63m by 1.5m with three plain sakhās. Each of these sakhas has a lintel. Thus, there are three lintels. While the lintels on outer two sakhas are plain, that on the inner śakha has very unclear figure of a seated Jina. The door has been now painted in orange and green. The door fittings are in the form of a round groove, one on a side, in the ceiling of the door inside. A wooden door is now fixed in the same grooves.
