Sambodhi 1973 Vol 02

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 17

11
Iconographic Data at Kumbharia
the lateral jambs of both the Jina images are carved miniature figures of the goddesses. Another huge image of Parsvanatha with seven-hooded cobra forming a canopy overhead is also installed in the Gudhamandapa. The figure of the Mulanayaka is new, nevertheless the throne and the parikana are old. Here, it is surprising to note, that the Yaksa bearing same set of symbols (abhaya, mace, noose. purse) as generally borne by Yakşa Sarvanubhuti and so also the two-armed Yakşt Ambika (with an amralumbi in right and with left supporting a child in lap) have respectively been provided with a snake canopy for associating them with Parsvanatha. The Mulanayaka of the Jina image installed in the sanctum is new, notwithstanding the parikara is original and the figures of the Yakşa and Yakşi are conspicious by their absence.
There are 24 cells, including a niche, on three sides of the Bhamatr Each cell contained a Jina figure exhibiting stunlar details noticed earlier, but now some are empty. The earliest inscription of Samvat 1104 (A.D. 1047) was noticed by the author on the throne of a Jina image installed in a niche on east at the right extremity Other inscriptions on the thrones of the Jina figures range in date between Samvat 1236 and 1259 (A.D. 1179-1202). The Cell Nos. 5 and 20, dedicated respectively to Sumatinatha (A.D. 1202) and Suvratasvami (A D. 1179), show on the beautifully carved entrance-doors, pillars, ceilings the figures of the popular goddesses. On the facades of these cells are also carved the figures of the Dikpalas (Varuna and Nirrti on west; and Indra and Isana on east) and goddesses (Cakreśvari on west and Vajrankusa on east).
The fourth temple of Neminatha, assigned to the twelfth century, is the largest of all the Jaina temples at Kumbharia. The outer walls of the Mulaprasada contain niched figures of the four- armed standing Dikpalas. Among the four-armed goddesses represented on the facades of the Mulaprasada - perambulating from east to west - may be included Vairotya (snake vahana), Acchuptă (horse vahana), Vajrasṛnkhala (a long chain in two upper hands, padmasana), Cakreśvari (garuda mount), an unidentified goddess (betraying leaves of some tree in two upper hands), SarvästraMabajvala (with Jvalapatra and sruka in two upper hands; jata-mukuta; lion mount), Sarasvati (carrying sruka and manuscript in two upper hands, jata-mukuta), Vajrankuśa (elephant vahana), Purus adatta (with shield and sword respectively in upper left and lower right hands; buffalo as vehicle), Kali (varada mace, long-stalk lotus, broken; kamalāsanā), Mabakäli (with thunderbolt and ghanta in two upper hands; male vahana), a goddess (with noose in two upper hands), Gauri (?) long-stalk lotuses in two upper hands, and probably an alligator-vahana-on left), and Purusadatta (?) (thunderbolt and stick (?) in two upper hands, and buffalo or ram as vahana).