Mahavira Jain Vidyalay Suvarna Mahotsav Granth Part 1

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

Page 742

MALA DEVI TEMPLE AT GYARASPUR : 267
Pillars
All the pillars of the interior are alike in shape and design and show a heavy square pedestal, with a male or female (sometimes semi-divine) figure in a miniature niche on each side, represented as dancing or carrying umbrella or musical instruments. These miniature niches are framed by pilasters and crowned by a small pediment of caitya-gavākşas. The shaft of the pillar (Fig. 6) is square at the lower and upper sections, decorated with boldly executed pot-and-foliage pattern, while the middle section is sixteen-sided fluted and is ornamented on all or some facets with chain-and-bell design suspended from a grāsa-patti or horizontal band of kirttimukhas. The pillar capital has several based elements comprising (1) a flattened circular cushion with projections for keeping lamps, or supporting bracket figures, (2) a square abacus decorated with kirttimukha and scrolls, (3) an amalakashaped member, (4) an upper abacus, also square, decorated with foliage in relief, and (5-6) two square diminishing cushions of the ribbed pattern. The pillar capitals are surmounted by brackets of curved profile, decorated with nigas and nägis in añjali, issuing from both outer and inner corners.
Antarala
The roof of the antarāla is supported on two pillars of the same design as described above. The narrow ceiling between pillars of the mandapa and the pillars of the antarala is samatala and rectangular, decorated with small square panels in two rows showing flying vidyadhara couples. The ceiling of the antarāla is similar in design to that of the vestibule of the mandapa.
Sanctum doorway
The sanctum is entered through a large and elaborate doorway which resembles in general appearance the doorway of the mandapa. Its lintel, however, is defaced, save a portion in the right hand corner. The two crowning architraves are also worn-out, but the lower one shows a row of nine standing Jina figures in niches of which the middle one is completely mutilated. The doorway is of the pascaśākhā variety and shows scrolls, nägas in añjali-mudrā, mithunas alternating with bhūtas and pāśa-design, scrolls and lastly a meandering pattern of creepers, entwining various scenes. The meandering pattern is missing on the proper right jamb. On the proper left jamb it shows from below (1) an acrobat riding a lion, (2) vidyadhara couple, the males holding sword, (3) a group of three devotees, (4) suparņas carrying lotus stalk,