Excavated on the face of the southern hill near the tank is a group of four caves – temples. Three of them are Brahmanical and one is Jain. They are located at relatively different elevation in an ascending order from Cave No.1 upwards. Assignable to the 6^th century CE, this cave, on the north-west side of the hill and about 50ft from the general ground level, is entered by a few steps rising from what may have been a small court. On the plinth of each side of the steps are carved Ganas of Siva in several attitudes. On the right side of the wall space of the courtyard is a 5’ high figure of Siva with eighteen hands dancing the Tandava in the company of Nandi, Ganapati and drummers. Between this figure and the cave is a small chapel with two pillars in front, standing on a rock cut plinth the face of which is sculptured with playful Ganas. Inside this chapel round the ends and back are more of these Ganas. Above them on the back wall is a perfect figure of Mahishasuramardini. On the right wall is Ganapati and on the left Skanda on Mayura. At the other end of the front cave is a dwarapala, 6’2” high with Trisula in his hand and below is a composite figure of a bull and an elephant carved in such a manner that each animal can distinctly be seen when the other is hidden. The front of the veranda is supported by four square pillars and two pilasters, their upper halves and brackets carefully carved with festoons of beaded work. Over the brackets and against the architrave and hidden from outside by the drip in front are a series of squat male figures acting as brackets to the roof above. The brackets of the front pillars and those leading to the sabhamandapa have the Tragana motif usually met with in the Pallav architecture. The latter have fillets bearing a design of creeper along their centre. Inside the veranda at the left end is the sculpture of Harihara (7’9”) attended by two females. At the right end is Ardhanarishwara. Nandi is waiting upon him and Bringi behind Nandi stands with clasped hands. The attendant female is seen on the other side.The roof is divided by imitation beams into five compartments. In the central one is the figure of Shesha with human head and bust and snake body coiled. In the compartment to the right is the relief of flying Vidyadharas. In the corresponding compartment on the other side are two rather small figures and in the end panels are lotuses. The entrance to the sabhamandapa is 21’ wide divided into three openings by two pillars and equal number of pilasters. These pillars have simple bases and square shafts, the upper part of each ornamented with arabesques, birds, etc. The capital are measures 42’ 1” wide by about 241/2, deep, the roof being supported by two rows of four columns each parallel to the front and similar to those in the veranda. It is divided into compartments by imitation joists ad rafters. In the first immediately within the middle entrance are a pair of figures of Vidhyadharas. The shrine is irregular in shape varying from 6’ 11” to 8’ 3” deep by 9’ 6” wide and contains a square alter with a linga on it. On either side of the door jambs near the roof are small figures of Sankhanidhi and Padmanidhi. On the rock surface above the rock-cut cornice is a much mutilated inscription in characters of the 6^th century CE.

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Dharwad Circle

The Jain and Vaishnava Caves

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The Jain and Vaishnava Caves

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