Mahavira Jain Vidyalay Suvarna Mahotsav Granth Part 1

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

Page 799

320 : SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME
The janghā displays Dikpālas on the karņas and apsarases on the pratirathas as well as in saliläntaras (recesses). The apsaras Sucismita (holding a mirror) on the northern pratiratha is a superb piece of chiseling. The saliläntara beside shows apsaras Menakā with capa and dhanusa. The janghā on the either kapili shows the standing figure of Jivantasyāmi. The three principal niches in the bhadras harbour seated Jaina images with parikaras; that on the south (Fig. 5) is of Pārsvanātha; the one on the east may be identified as Māhāvīra.
Above the jangha of the wall comes the bharani (capital) followed by bistriated varandikā and the kūtacchádya. The superstructure of the shrine is formed by a Latina śikhara.
The mukhacatuskī of the Devakulikā shows vase-and-foliage pillars and a Nābhicchanda ceiling. The triśākhā doorframe shows patraśākhā with undulating creeper, rūpastambha flanked by bakulikā followed by bāhyaśākhả carved with lotus leaves. The rūpastambha shows figures of Vidyādevīs; among them Vajraśộnkhalā, Vajrankuśī, Apraticakrā, Acchuptā and Kāli may be identified.
The uttaranga architrave of the doorframe shows Jina figure in the centre as well as at the extremities : in between the latter, once again, the images of Vidyādevis such as Naradattā, Kāli, Gauri, and Gāndhārī may be discerned. Above the mukhacatuṣki is found samvarana (bellroof) now partly restored.
The second Devakulikā (No. 3) of the eastern pair is even more ornate than the last one. Its pītha is similar to the last one except that the jādyakumbha shows elaborately carved leaves such as at Someśvara temple at Kiradu. The narapitha here includes Jina-kalyanakas, and incidences and scenes showing marriage procession of Neminātha.
The kumbha of the vedībandha is heavily ornamented showing a thin grāsapattikā with manibandha (jewel band) together with deeply carved ardharatna (half diamond) on pratirathas, and elsewhere figures of Vidyādevis. At the shoulder, the kumbha is decorated with indented aśoka leaves. The Vidyādevis include Naradattā, Gaurī, Rohini, Mahāmānasī, Vajrānkuși, Vijraśộnkhalā, and Gāndhārī : Heramba is spotted at one place in lieu of Vidyadevi.
The bhadra niches of the jarghă are vacant. The karņas as usual reveal Dikpāla figures while pratirathas and salilāntaras display a psaras figures. The pītha mouldings of the mukhacatuṣki of this temple show some variation. Above the chajjika comes ghantamālā, rājasenaka, vedikā, lattice, and pillars of the vase-and-foliage order such as are