Jinamanjari 2000 09 No 22

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 64

āmalasāraka carved from sapphire, and the high sikhara rose to the sky. A marble wall in conjunction with subsidiary golden temples surrounded the main shrine. The wide-railed jagati (parapet) was quite conspicuous, as were the numerous ornate windows and vişama-patrabhanga (complex foliage decoration) that astonished all visitors to the temple.
In the extensive māņikya-mandapa, a canopied pata-vitānaka (curtain)) covered the entire icon. Nearby, many strings of variegated pearls were hanging, as were dhvāmśuka (silken banners), maņi-pradipa (diamond lamps), sphātka-darpaņa (marble mirrors) and cāmikarastambha (golden pillars).
In the centre of mandapa-kşaņa (pavilion) was a sphātkavitardikā (marble platform). There were several staircases in the inner side of the temple wall to reach its top. The huge vajramaņi-silāmaya (adamantine-diamond image) of Mahāvīra was installed on simhasana made of gold. There is a reference to the parikara also, however, the only details given about it are the motifs of the elephant, the lion and the wheel carved at the base of the throne.
Temple of Cupid at Kāñci
Dhanapāla has given some small details of a similar temple in Ayodhyā. The shrine of cupid at Kāñcī was situated in the public park known as Kusumākara. Among its architectural features, he has mentioned the red silk flag with crocodile design, the flag post made of coral, the high dome, a wide rampart, white subsidiary domes with golden crest-pitchers, an extensive hall with tall, strong pillars, and a pool facing the main gate. A series of steps appears to have enabled an individual to reach the top of the rampart of the temple. There were pavilions adjoining the door, and in a nearby location, a water-hall with mango trees was situated. The image in pure gold was installed on a bandy-legged pedestal.
A Shrine to Sri
The temple dedicated to the goddess, Sri, was built by King Meghavāhana, and situated within the walls of the palace garden. The shrine itself was relatively small, had few pillars, was surrounded by a low, compound wall, and had a wide pavilion with polished jewelled slabs. In the niche of the walls of the side-steps near what is described as shady banyan tree, image of various gods were installed that were probably guardian deities. The image of Sri was said to have been carved in the wood of a tree found growing on the Pearl Mountain.
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