DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0413
AUKANGA15AD CAVES. 391
The inner hall is mostly occupied by the shrine, round which
there is a pradakshind with three cells in each side aisle, and two
small shrines in the back wall, each containing a seated figure of
Buddha. The front of the principal shrine is covered with sculpture,
chiefly of female figures, three on each side the door, nearly life-size.
The centre figure in each case stands on a lotus, has the nimbus
behind the head, holds a lotus or other flower-bud in one hand, and,
like her companions, wears a headdress of extraordinary dimensions1
and elaboration. They probably represent Tara—a favourite with
the Nepalese,— but whether Bhrikuta-tara and Ugra-tara, or only
one of the forms, is not clear. The two attendants on the right
side of the door carry clumris, and one of them is attended by a
dwarf; those on the left bear flowers, and one is attended by a
bandy-legged male dwarf, the other by a female one. The two
larger figures in these cases may be Mamukki and Lochana. Above
are vidyddharas with garlands, and over each side passage are two
figures of squatting Buddhas.
Inside is the usual colossal Buddha, with gandharvas and apsarasas
on clouds over his shoulders. On the right wall are standing male
and female figures with attendant dwarfs; and on the opposite side,
apparently, the representation of a nachh or dance, with six female
musicians. On the walls are many small figures of Buddha.
In the chapel, in the left end of the front hall, are represented
eight figures : on the right Buddha standing, then six females, each
distinguished from the other by the style of her coiffure, standing
on lotuses and with nimbi, and, lastly, a Bodhisattwa —perhaps
I'admapani.
In the corresponding chapel, at the east or right end, is a sculpture
ot: a fet pair of squatting royal personages, the female with a child
0n ner knee, a female attendant at each side, and vidyddharas in the
-louds above with garlands. This is probably intended to represent
•^ddhodana and Maya, the parents of Buddha, with the infant
reformer.
«o. Tin.—Close to the last is a large recess under the rock,
ably tne remains of a large ruined cave; over it is the com-
nencement of another, the hall measuring 27 feet by 20, with some
«™pture, but quite unfinished.
!e Uird Arch- Report, Plate LIII. Fig. 2, and Plate LIV. Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
The inner hall is mostly occupied by the shrine, round which
there is a pradakshind with three cells in each side aisle, and two
small shrines in the back wall, each containing a seated figure of
Buddha. The front of the principal shrine is covered with sculpture,
chiefly of female figures, three on each side the door, nearly life-size.
The centre figure in each case stands on a lotus, has the nimbus
behind the head, holds a lotus or other flower-bud in one hand, and,
like her companions, wears a headdress of extraordinary dimensions1
and elaboration. They probably represent Tara—a favourite with
the Nepalese,— but whether Bhrikuta-tara and Ugra-tara, or only
one of the forms, is not clear. The two attendants on the right
side of the door carry clumris, and one of them is attended by a
dwarf; those on the left bear flowers, and one is attended by a
bandy-legged male dwarf, the other by a female one. The two
larger figures in these cases may be Mamukki and Lochana. Above
are vidyddharas with garlands, and over each side passage are two
figures of squatting Buddhas.
Inside is the usual colossal Buddha, with gandharvas and apsarasas
on clouds over his shoulders. On the right wall are standing male
and female figures with attendant dwarfs; and on the opposite side,
apparently, the representation of a nachh or dance, with six female
musicians. On the walls are many small figures of Buddha.
In the chapel, in the left end of the front hall, are represented
eight figures : on the right Buddha standing, then six females, each
distinguished from the other by the style of her coiffure, standing
on lotuses and with nimbi, and, lastly, a Bodhisattwa —perhaps
I'admapani.
In the corresponding chapel, at the east or right end, is a sculpture
ot: a fet pair of squatting royal personages, the female with a child
0n ner knee, a female attendant at each side, and vidyddharas in the
-louds above with garlands. This is probably intended to represent
•^ddhodana and Maya, the parents of Buddha, with the infant
reformer.
«o. Tin.—Close to the last is a large recess under the rock,
ably tne remains of a large ruined cave; over it is the com-
nencement of another, the hall measuring 27 feet by 20, with some
«™pture, but quite unfinished.
!e Uird Arch- Report, Plate LIII. Fig. 2, and Plate LIV. Figs. 1, 2, and 3.