Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c22.29

c22.29

The other notable example of the Jain group, the Jaganath Sabha (No. 33) is in general principles and in the treatment of its major parts, of the same character as the Indra Sabha, but without its regularity of plan The ground floor is a complex of three sanctuaries unsymmetrically arranged and opening out of a courtyard, much of which has crumbled away. Each sanctuary is self-contained and comparatively small, the hall of the largest being only 26 feet side, consisting of the usual complement of portico, square pillared compartment, and cella beyond. The upper floor is a larger hall much on the lines of that of the previous example except that it is rather smaller as it measures 57 feet by 40 feet, with a colonnade of twelve pillars around the four sides. There is a cella at the far end, and the walls are recessed for groups of figures Leading out of this main hall by means of an adjoining chamber in one corner, and at an angle to it, is a supplementary sanctuary, similar in proportions and character to those on the ground floor, exact in its workmanship and very complete in all its parts It is in the richly carved details and perfected finish, particularly of the pillars, all of which are elaborations of the cushion variety, that the Jain examples excel, and also in the precision and accuracy of the cutting generally. Throughout, the workmanship is of a high order, yet the planning, as in this instance, is inclined to be haphazard and improvisatory. Moreover, as in many of the productions of the Jains, in spite of the beauty of the embellishment, or perhaps in some obscure way on account of it, there is a cold and impersonal feeling in these rock-cut halls, which is not found in those of the Buddhist or Hindus, a circumstance of some irony in view of the pronounced humanitarian character of the creed that inspired them.