Badami Cave – 2: Matsya Chakra (Fish Wheel) on the mukhamantapa ceiling

Matsya Chakra - A wheel with fish spokes on the ceiling of Cave - 2 located on a soft sandstone hill near Badami in Karnataka, India.

Matsya Chakra – A wheel with fish spokes

Matsya Chakra
This eye-catching relief, popularly known as Matsya Chakra (Fish Wheel), is carved on a recessed ceiling of the mukhamantapa (verandah) of Cave – 2, the second of the four rock-cut caves carved out of a red sandstone hill near Badami in Karnataka, India.

The Matsya Chakra is a wheel consisting of a hub at the center and 16 spokes of fish enclosed by a rim carved with patterns of flowers and leaves. The hub is a medallion carved with a lotus flower pattern. Surrounding the Matsya Chakra are the two concentric square frames carved with intricate patterns.

Flanking the Matsya Chakra ceiling are the recessed ceilings carved with the maze-like patterns formed by swastikas.

Cave – 2 Related Images
Facade and Entrance
– Mukhamantapa left wall: Varahavatara
– Mukhamantapa right wall: Vamanavatara
– Mukhamantapa Ceiling: Swastika Maze

Related Pages
Badami
Badami Cave – 1, Badami Cave – 2, Badami Cave – 3, Badami Cave – 4
Durga Temple at Aihole

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