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Faina Temples of Western India
rows of petals. The gūdhamandapa contains many (3) These are square at the base with corners Jina images and an image of Rajimati, the bride chamfered into three angles, octagonal in the of Neminātha to whom the temple is dedicated. 49
middle and circular on the top. The square
section consists of a bhitta, jad yakumbha, karnika, Mukhamandapa
padma, khura, kumbha decorated with half Rectangular on plan it consists of nine bays and diamonds, kalata and finally a series of is landed up from the rangamandapa by three stair- karņikas at intervals, and is surmounted by ways, the central having six steps and the side ones miniature fikharas. The octagonal section is comprising five steps each. Below each staircase
decorated with a khura, kumbha adorned with
half diamonds, kalafa, eight-petalled halfis a moonstone which consists of an ardhacandra tied
blown lotus flower with buds between the on either end with gagäraka, Sarkha and lotus stem.
petals, and a band of ardhapadma pattern. The The ardhacandra is adorned with scallop pattern.
circular section shows three decorative bands On either side of the central staircase is an orna
of Mälädharas, saw tooth pattern and four mental sunken niche containing an image of Pratihāra. The pañcaratha niches are decorated
projecting pendants, and diamonds, and three
mouldings of khura, kumbha decorated with half with half-blown lotuses arranged in rows.
diamonds, and kalaša. The circular section is
surmounted by a band of saw-tooth pattern. The mukhamandapa also has an ornate pitha and
The second and third decorative bands on one balustrade, which are but the continuum of those
pillar, however, are conspicuous by their of the gidhamandapa lateral porches (Fig. 89). It
absence. consists of ten pillars and two pilasters, which are disposed in the same order as we notice in case of The other four pillars are of the octagonal the Vimalavasahi. Six of these pillars, namely three variety (Fig. 92). The angles at the base of these on either side, rest on the asanapatta of the kaksā- pillars are chamfered so much so that they look sana and consist of only two members, viz, shaft almost circular. The base consists of a khura, kumbha and capital. The capitals of all the pillars are decorated with half diamonds, kalaša, antarapatra, alike, consisting of a double-course round bharani and kapota underlined with leaves. The shaft is of karnika and padma, and a four-armed double-roll divided into two sections, the lower being octagobracket displaying half kirttimukhas on their side nal and the upper, circular. The octagonal section faces and drooping foliage on the front. The shafts, is further divided into two horizontal belts, the however, differ. On the basis of ornamentations lower being wider than the upper. The lower belt the shafts may be divided into three groups, each is boldly relieved with eight figures of female group comprising two pillars :
dancers, and the upper is adorned with eight images
of lalitāsana goddesses identifiable with Sarasvati (1) These are circular in section and display verti- and Laksmi. The circular section is divided into
cal flutings with chamfered angles. They are four horizontal belts by recessed fillets adorned at divided into two sections. The lower part times with lozenges or stepped diamonds. The which approximates nearly one-third of the first belt represents acanthus, the second shows total height of the shaft, is comparatively ardhapadma pattern, the third carries Malādharas wider and is surmounted by miniature fikharas.
and four projecting pendants, and the fourth bears The upper section, also crowned by miniature
a band of kirttimukhas spewing festoons, the ends of fikharas, carries four projecting pendants or a which are secured below by a band of campaka band of diamonds and beads.
flowers. The capital is similar to that of the (2) These are octagonal at the base, sixteen-sided
kaksāsana pillars. in the middle and circular on the top. The The two pilasters flanking the gūdhamanda pa circular section is surmounted by a band of door are three-faceted, but their corners are chamkirttimukhas emitting beaded strands.
fered so much so that they give almost a diagonal
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