ARTICLE
Badami Cave 1
The garbhagriha, excavated into the back wall, is entered through a flight of stairs and an entrance with moulded and carved door jamb bands (sakhas) that include ornamental pilasters carved with images of Shankhanidhi and Padmanidhi (the two treasures of Kubera). The cylindrical and flat-topped linga, carved in situ, sits in the centre of the chamber upon a square yali receptacle and a moulded lingapitha. The nose of the yali overhangs a pit-socket below the western wall, which serves to collect the abhisheka jala or ritual effluents.
A significant example of early Deccan temple architecture, Cave 1 demonstrates the emergence of four main groups of sculptural and architectural forms: corbels and bracket figures; ceiling sculptures; large relief panels; running friezes of ganas and a kapotabandha (basement moulding), as well as dvarapalas flanking the entrance. These features are important indicators of a style that would be further developed in Deccan temples through the medieval period.
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