DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0429
BADAMI CAYES. 407
favourites with the early Hindu sculptors for the decoration of
basements, and which they were fond of representing in every
possible attitude and in every form of grimace, or even with the
heads of animals. All sects—Buddhists, Brahmans, and Jains—
seem to have employed such figures in similar positions: in fact,
they appear to have been conventionalities dependent more upon
the taste and imagination of the craftsmen than upon the mytho-
logy of the sect for which any particular temple was constructed.
The verandah is supported in front by six pillars, each two and a
half feet square, and two pilasters, with pretty deep bases and capi-
tals,—the latter almost hid by the three brackets attached to the
lower part of the capitals on the backs and sides of each, and by the
eave or drip which comes down in front. The brackets on each
side the pillars, in every case but one, represent a pair of human or
mythological figures—a male and female standing in various attitudes
under foliage, in most cases attended by a small dwarf figure ; the
only exception to the pair of figures is one in which Arcldhanari is
represented, four armed and with two dwarf attendants. The
brackets on the backs or inner sides of the pillars are all single
tall female figures, each with one or two small attendants. These
brackets extend from near the bottom of the capitals to the roof.
The necks of the pillars below the capitals are carved with broad
bands of elaborate beaded festoon work, and on each of the four
sides of the lower portions of the shafts are medallions carved with
groups of figures within a border.
The verandah is 9 feet wide, and is separated from the hall by
four free-standing columns and two demi-columns in antis, all with
"igh bases, the two central pillars being of that purely Hindu type,
consisting of a square shaft with thin and slightly narrower slabs
aPplied to each face : in this case two of these slabs are superimposed
011 eacb side, forming five exterior angles at each of the four
corners. The two pillars outside these are octagons with capitals of
tile Elephanta type. There are thus left for sculptures the two ends
tfle verandah, and the spaces on the back between the attached
P^ars and the ends.
111 tbe east end of the verandah is a large figure of Vishnu seated
11the body of the great snake Sesha or Ananta, which is thrice
round below him, while its hoods—five in this instance—are
ead out over and round his big mukuta or crown, as if to protect
favourites with the early Hindu sculptors for the decoration of
basements, and which they were fond of representing in every
possible attitude and in every form of grimace, or even with the
heads of animals. All sects—Buddhists, Brahmans, and Jains—
seem to have employed such figures in similar positions: in fact,
they appear to have been conventionalities dependent more upon
the taste and imagination of the craftsmen than upon the mytho-
logy of the sect for which any particular temple was constructed.
The verandah is supported in front by six pillars, each two and a
half feet square, and two pilasters, with pretty deep bases and capi-
tals,—the latter almost hid by the three brackets attached to the
lower part of the capitals on the backs and sides of each, and by the
eave or drip which comes down in front. The brackets on each
side the pillars, in every case but one, represent a pair of human or
mythological figures—a male and female standing in various attitudes
under foliage, in most cases attended by a small dwarf figure ; the
only exception to the pair of figures is one in which Arcldhanari is
represented, four armed and with two dwarf attendants. The
brackets on the backs or inner sides of the pillars are all single
tall female figures, each with one or two small attendants. These
brackets extend from near the bottom of the capitals to the roof.
The necks of the pillars below the capitals are carved with broad
bands of elaborate beaded festoon work, and on each of the four
sides of the lower portions of the shafts are medallions carved with
groups of figures within a border.
The verandah is 9 feet wide, and is separated from the hall by
four free-standing columns and two demi-columns in antis, all with
"igh bases, the two central pillars being of that purely Hindu type,
consisting of a square shaft with thin and slightly narrower slabs
aPplied to each face : in this case two of these slabs are superimposed
011 eacb side, forming five exterior angles at each of the four
corners. The two pillars outside these are octagons with capitals of
tile Elephanta type. There are thus left for sculptures the two ends
tfle verandah, and the spaces on the back between the attached
P^ars and the ends.
111 tbe east end of the verandah is a large figure of Vishnu seated
11the body of the great snake Sesha or Ananta, which is thrice
round below him, while its hoods—five in this instance—are
ead out over and round his big mukuta or crown, as if to protect