Book Title: Temples of Kumbhariya
Author(s): M A Dhaky, U S Moorty
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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Page 106
________________ The Temples in Kumbhāriyā where rājasena, vedīkā, and asanapatta mouldings appear (Plates 85, 86). The vedikā-niches at the left of the stairway display perhaps Nirvāṇī and Brahmaśāntī Yaksa at the right side of the spectator and Sarvānubhūti and Acchuptā on the left side. The front four pillars of this structure are fully carved in the standard Maru-Gurjara style (Plates 81-83), the details need not be dwelt upon except for the janghā-niches at the shafts, which show Vidyādevīs, Sarasvatī, and related figures. Among the four rear pillars, only two belts in the uppermost circular area are carved; they show the grāsakīnkanikā (Plate 84). The central two columns have two more decorative belts below the circular section. A pair of khattakas (Plate 80) flank the wall-pilasters which in turn flank the doorframe and are treated as though they are pañcaśākhā jambs, the rūpastambha with a pair of rūpasākhās on either side (Plate 80). The more important part of the satcatuski is of course its six fully carved ceilings. The one figuring above the stairway is concentric and of the fine Mandāraka class (Plate 87), its four-kola prominent lambana with pointed or angular kolas anticipates the future increased usage of this 'geometricised kola' type of pendant, as will be in some of the pattaśālā ceilings of the Vimala-vasahi temple at Delvādā, Mt. Ābu. The three out of the four corners left out by the central circular part are filled with the figures of Vidyādevīs-Vairotyā, Rohiņi, Yakşi Cakreśvarī and Sarasvatieach attended by the flanking kinnara figures. The ceiling is supported by the lintels bearing creeper design on the lower facia and plain panelled diamonds on the tantraka above. The sur-lintel, at its profile, shows niches containing dancing goddesses. The pair of the flanking identical ceilings is also of the Mandāraka class, though displaying smaller dvi-kola lambana with centrally hanging staminal (Plate 89). The vikarņa-corners here are filled with the paired figures of confronting elephants. The space between the pairs of the elephants is filled by a pair or pairs of human figures playing instruments. The lower facia of the lintels of these two ceilings show a beautifully looped and highly finished creeper rendered in fairly high relief, where the loops carry the figures each of an elephant, a bird, a pair of gandharva figures (or just seated dampati-yugala/mithunas) etcetera. The central ceiling of the rear row (Plate 88) is also of the Mandāraka type. Its four vikarņas are filled with four seated Dikpāla figures—Vaiśravana, Yama, Nirrtti, and Agni. The space between the divinities is occupied by gandharvas playing musical instruments, some also shown in dancing postures. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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