Mahavira Jain Vidyalay Suvarna Mahotsav Granth Part 1

Author(s): Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Mumbai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Page 733

262 : SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME
other on the basement at the same level with the niches below the balconies. The pilasters of these niches are decorated with scrolls, kirttimukhas and vase-and-foliage designs. Some of the pediments of the niches were surmounted by lions seated on haunches. Balconies
In the balcony-projections the vedikā-moulding shows two rows of miniature shrines alternating with chess-design. The asanapatta is decorated with scrolls and is surmounted by a frieze of lotus petals. The kaksāsana has slabs of lotus scrolls alternating with three vertical shafts relieved with bead-design. The lintel and the architrave of the balcony-projections are decorated with chess-pattern. The surmounting frieze which serves as chádya moulding is decorated with half-faces of kirttimukhas showing ears and in some cases horns.
Roof-niches
Between the two eastern balcony-projections of the south façade the last course of the roof shows a niche containing an image of eight-armed Cakreśvarī seated on garuņa. The goddess carries pāśa, indistinct object, indistinct object, and vajra in the right hands; and vajra, indistinct object, cakra and broken in the left hands. This figure is flanked on each side by a female attendant. In the proper left niche occurs a seated Jina, while in the right niche occurs Ambikā Yaksi, seated in lalitäsana and carrying a child.
On the corresponding north side the roof niches show Cakreśvarī Yakṣī, flanked by female attendants which are now defaced. On the proper right occurs a seated Jina, while on the left occurs AmbikaYakși seated in lalitäsana. This is an exact replica of what we have on the south face. A little above this niche we have a seated Tirthankara in a niche flanked by attendants in the side niches. Outer niches
The outer niches are now described from the south-east in the order of pradaksiņā : East face :
Niche I on the south-east corner of the jangha shows an eightarmed goddess seated in lalitäsana on a lotus, below is represented a bird mount with two heads, one regardant and the other looking down.
1 The attributes are reckoned clock-wise starting from the lower
right hand.