An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c45.744

v2.c45.744

The main monastery, rectangular on plan, had an elaborately carved gateway on the n. leading to the projecting porch, which led to the monastery proper with its usual plan of cells flanked by verandas with a pillared courtyard at the centre and a shrine. An inscription in 8th-century characters found in the n. veranda says in that the structure was erected by a monk called Ānandaprabhu in the reign of Bālārjuna. The central shrine at the back of the monastery had a colossal image of Buddha in *bhūmi-sparśa-mudrā* flanked by Padmapāṇi. After about two centuries the monastery was appropriated by the Śaivas, who effected large-scale repairs and changes. Adjoining the monastery and sharing its common e. wall was another structure probably an ancillary building with the kitchen, refectory, bath, store-room and hall (Mitra, 1971, pp. 102-3) with a stone-paved court but irregularly grouped cells.