Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c13.s8.15

c13.s8.15

We learn about a Theatic hall¹²³ (paṭhāgharamanḍava) which was supported by many columns (anegakhambhasayasannivittha), and was furnished with huge altars (vedikā), arches (torana) and sālabhañjikā figures, it was decorated with īhāmiga etc., was fitted with a mechanism to show the moving figures of the pair of vidyādharas, had hundreds of figures decorating it (rūvagasahassakaḷiyam), had many domes (thūbhyā), was decorated with flags and bells, was well-plastered (ulloya) and bore the palm impression inside and outside, its gates had sandal pitchers and arches; there were flowers, garlands, perfumes and incense, and the ceiling (ulloya) was decorated with lotus creepers. In the centre of the Theatre hall there was a stage (akkhāḍaga) which had a jewelled seat (maṇipedhiya) in the centre. On that there was a throne having discs (cakkala), lions (sīha), feet (pāya), tops (pāyasīsaga), the body (gatta) and the joint (sandhi).¹²⁴