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The Vertical Parts of the Mandapa
431 At Kasara, the concentric circles are adorned with plant and leaf-mouldings. 63
At Sejakpur the dome is embellished with sculptured figures, representing the rāsamandala a part of which has fallen in. 64
In the Vimalavasahi at Abu the dome of the sabhämaņdapa is an interesting one. It is built up of eleven concentric rings, five of which, interposed at regular intervals, depict patterns of figures and animals. Every figure course is alternated by an ornamental course. While from the apex hangs a central pendant surrounded by a group of smaller pendants. On sixteen brackets, sixteen Vidyadevis (goddesses of learning) are superimposed on the surface of the dome across the mouldings.65
The Vādi Pāršavanātha temple at Patan (now extinct) had a beautifully carved dome (in wood) which may be considered as one of the best manifestations of the carved dome. Burgess has elaborately given its description. The roof of this temple, is in the form of a dome rising to the height of 3.5 X 3.3 m, in diameter. The roof is decorated in concentric circles with figures and bands of ornament, and has a lotus - shaped pendant hanging from the apex. Eight large bracket figures are placed at equal intervals round the inside. These are female musicians and dancers, and between each pair of these is a seated male figure with two attendents. These are the aştadikpālas or eight regents of the points of compass and are arranged in the ceiling according to their proper quarters, and each with his vāhana or conveyance carved below his seat. Some fine carving, now much injured, has filled up the corners or spandrels of the octagonal roof, between the lowest circle. of the dome and helping to support it are four balcony windows, projecting inwards from each side of the apartment,
63. AG. P. 81 64. TWI, XVII, p. 405. 65. CG, XVII, p. 385.
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