3.The Architecture of the Cave Temples

This is prominently seen in Neminatha group. The parts of the temple consist of

• i. The open mukhamandapa (Sketch No. 10)
• ii. Cave consisting of
• iii. Antarala
• iv. Garbhagrha

1. Mukhamandapa : This is constructed over rough granite pillars, but their capitals are made, more decorative, that receive both horizontal and vertical stone beams.

In sketch 11, the uneven external contour of the hill is seen by a thick line above the pillars. To indicte the placement of the cross beams over pillar capitals, the pillar profile is separately shown below in the sketch.

(a) Antrala

This is the dark rectangular room formed by the lithic ceiling inside above the entrance of the dvara. It covers the eastern half of the cave. While the western half formed the sanctum. The ceiling that divides the cave is not the antarala but the roof of the upper chamber containing a window, above the entrance.

(b) Garbhagrha

Both in Nemigiri and Namigiri groups, this forms the western half of the cave. They have a high pedestal at the back wall, over which mulanayakas are installed. The upper chamber having the window and the entrance dvara, admit limited light, to the main images in the back wall of the cave.

The architecture of the cave temples display the initial efforts of some of early caves °f Bhaja, Bedsa etc in Maharastra. However, the well advanced features of chaitya windows, with refined sculptural features were never adopted in these temples. They are rough and display primitive workmanship.

Naminatha Group

These are caves, with the entrance displayed as a chaityalayas. They have two Peninings

The lower one is made unimpressive, as it covers only the pedestal of the image portion at the back wall of the cave. But the upper opening is impressive with broad dvarasakhas below and narrower near the lintel The angular brackets connecting the lintel and dvarasakhas are made decorative The are made prominent mainly because, the image is raised over a high pedestal.

As regards the other details of garbhagrha and the antarala, the details are similar to those in Neminatha cave temples.

In the caves 17 and 18 of Ek-pathar-ki-Bavdi, the story is similar. However their lower entrance has better finish than those in this Namigiri group.

The shikhara : The superstructural features above the entrance has the trippie ribbed pyrdmidal form of a rekhangana prasada, ending in an amalka, kalasha and a stupi. Such sikhara element is common to all the flowr regions of the cavesantuaries of Gopachal. The central part near the plinth of the shikhara has a pillared porch with a window arch above.