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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
the niched standing figures of Gods and Goddesses. Above this is chhādyaka (cave) superimposed with ornate and inticrate pediment, above which rests the prominent Kutachadya (eave) adorned with detail pallava-course.
The central off-setted Bhadraka type of dwarf pillars in elevational part from the bottom to top follow the usual order of Kumbhi (base), Stambhadanda (shaft) and capital (Śirāvatī). The shafts of the pillar at the lower end adorned with a niche and a seated figure of a God. Over this is a moulding of ghata-pallava pattern which is again superimposed with floral frieze and grāsapatti separated by a beaded course known as Ratna-Pattikā or Manībandha. The cross shaped corbelled capital over the pillar is superimposed with similar scrolled member, over which projects the ornate vertical bracket called Madala in pair which once supported the gallaries falling in the well. Their brakating constructed in the same principle as we find at the gateways of Zinzuwada and Dabhoi.
The circular frame of the well of each storey, as noted above, divided into nine sections, by means of eight dwarf pillar. The two large sections in the extreme ends of the frame i.e. north and south have figures of six couples of Gods and Goddesses on each Janghā.
The main janghā moulding at the central section is adorned with three sculptures, the centrel one being seated in Yogāsana pose and the flanking two, one on each şide, are standing figures in sambhanga posture. The six sections, three on left and three on right, contain figures of three couples of Gods and Goddesses in each section. All the figures on lower small Janghā moulding are singular seated in lalītāsana posture.
Thus on each storey of the well we find 33 figures on the principal Janghā of which, except the contral one, singular and seated one, all are depicted in couples. The subsidiary Janghā also contained 33 more singular figures seated in lalitāsana posture. To add with them the 8 small figures carved on pillar shafts the number would be 41.17
Numerous idols pertaining to the Saivite, the Vaisnavite ans the sāktāite religious sects are found among the profusely rich sculpture of this step-well. Among the Saivite sculptures there are the idols of Śiva, His coupled form, the lśäna form, Ganesa and the peripheral deities.
Among the idols pertaining to Vaisnavism, the idols of the twenty-four forms of Vişnu, the idol of Varāha one of the ten incarnations complying to the sculptural prescriptions, the attractive idol of Lord Vāmana, Rāma, Balarāma, Buddha and the idol Kalki riding a horse, all these carved on the panel of the step-well, generate unprecedented attraction. Moreover, excellent idols of the divine family along with the sitting and the standing idols of Lakşmi-Nārāyana, as also an independent beautiful idol of Mahālaksmī, have been carved.
40
zurlu : y. 24, zis 3-8, viszi. 2006 – Hz, 2004
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