The Medhi Portion (of the Stupa)

[Full title: Stylized Forms of the Different parts of the Stupa (2): The Medhi Portion]

Stylised Medhi -1

A circular medhi cut inside at the top for fitting the anda within it (Plate-CCXXVII).

Stylised Medhi -2

An elongated medhi which is quite squarish in shape with rounded corners with the anda portion slightly cut inside (Plate-CCXXVIII).

Stylised Medhi -3

A medhi which is quite squarish in shape with rounded corners; there is a circular band at the top (Plate-CCXXIX).

Stylised Medhi -4

A rock-cut medhi which is rectangular in shape displaying a band within facet at the top (Plate-CCXXX).

Stylised Medhi -5

A circular medhi with a band at the base and the top (Plate-CCXXXI).

Stylised Medhi -6

A circular medhi with a thin band at the base and there are two mouldings at the top and two facets between the mouldings (Plate-CCXXXII).

Stylised Medhi -7

A circular medhi with a facet at the base and two bands at the top within the facets sandwiching a recess. On the three sides of the medhi three full blown lotus flowers are carved on the band at the top (Plate-CCXXXIII).

Stylised Medhi -8

A circular medhi of a brick stupa displaying two mouldings: one in turned and the other out turned at the base and two bands with a recess in between at the top (Plate-CCXXXIV).

Stylised Medhi -9

A circular medhi with two mouldings: one in turned and the other out turned and a facet at the base and two nolis flanked by facet at the top. There are some instances where in the medhi portion one or three nolis are carved (Plate-CCXXXV).

Stylised Medhi -10

A circular medhi with two bands and a facet at the base and a band within two facets at the top. Eight miniature stupas are carved all around the medhi (Plate-CCXXXVI).

Stylised Medhi -11

A octagonal shaped medhi carved with window frame design within double frames on all the four cardinal directions and the space between these oblong niches are filled with semicircular arched niches followed by a noli within two facets at the top (Plate-CCXXXVII).

Stylised Medhi -12

The medhi portion is highly decorated; the space between two images are carved with latticed window motifs within a frame crowned by halve of a full blown lotus on all four cardinal directions, crowned by a band capped by a thinner band and three diminishing corbels below (Plate-CCXXXVIII).

Stylised Medhi -13

An elongated medhi: inside the niche with an oblong plain frame around it followed by a chaitya window motif, a miniature stupa is depicted on all the four cardinal directions and the space between the two chaitya window motifs are decorated with kirti-mukhas on the upper band (Plate-CCXXXIX).

Stylised Medhi -14

A short medhi decorated with double petalled lotus at the base and a plain circular band at the top (Plate-CCXL).

Stylised Medhi -15

A medhi carved with a double petalled lotus band at the base followed by a band of four petalled flowers within diamond shaped frames and halves of flowers within triangles at the top (Plate-CCXLI).

Stylised Medhi -16

A medhi carved with a band of double petalled lotus at the base and a band of four petalled full blown lotuses at the top (Plate-CCXLII).

Stylised Medhi -17

A medhi carved with two mouldings at the base and a thin band at the top from which beaded garlands are hanging down and pendants are dangling down from the garlands. Four petalled flowers are carved inside the garlands (Plate-CCXLIII).

Stylised Medhi–18

A medhi carved with a band and a facet at the base and a band with row of thunderbolts within facet at the top (Plate-CCXLIV).

Stylised Medhi–19

A medhi carved with double petalled lotus capped by a beaded line at the base and a band with row of thunderbolts within borders having beaded lines at the top, the middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garlands made of beaded lines and beaded pendants dangling down the garlands (Plate-CCXLV A).

Stylised Medhi–20

A medhi carved with double petalled lotus at the base and a band with row of thunderbolts within plain borders at the top, the middle portion is decorated with intersecting wavy garlands made of beaded lines and beaded pendants dangling down (Plate-CCXLV B).

Stylised Medhi–21

A medhi carved with double petalled lotus capped by a beaded line at the base and a band with scroll design within borders having beaded lines at the top; at the starting point of the scroll design a man is depicted with his left leg in the mouth of a makara (crocodile) and out of fear he is trying to escape, he is pushing the makara with is left hand and holding something up with his right hand, the middle part is decorated with intersecting wavy garlands made of beaded lines and beaded pendants issuing from kirti-mukhas and conjoined swan facing either side with the beaded hara emanating from their belly (Plate-CCXLVI).