File:Badami si05-1706.jpg

English: Small Buddhist Cave, Badami, controversy

Buddhist cave

The cave is decorated with a sculpture in shallow relief depicting a seated Buddha. The Buddha, whose face has been lost, is flanked by Bodhisattvas bearing chauris. His right hand is raised in abhya mudra ("fear not"). He sits upon a throne whose elaborate arm (photo left) is carved in the shape of an elephant above a rampant lion. The carving of the other arm is different in detail, although similar in outline. Very shallow petal-shaped lines are incised above the Buddha's head, which is surrounded by a circular halo. Inside the halo are some wedge-shaped markings. Left and right panels, on the basement of the throne, are carved with standing lions. These face away from a central panel that consists of an unidentified figure between two wheels.

The painted white parallel lines were added at a later time. They are Shaiva tripundra icon.

Hindu cave

According to B.V. Shetti, an archaeologist and curator of Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, the cave was not converted but from the start represented a tribute to Mayamoha of the Hindu Puranas, or Buddhavatara Vishnu (ninth avatar of Vishnu). This theory is supported by the chakra, conch and jewelry included in its iconography. The style suggests it was likely carved in or before the 8th century.

Jain cave

A third theory found in colonial-era texts such as one by John Murray, a Christian missionary in British India and Jainism scholar, states this is a Jaina figure as many details of the iconography matches those in Jainism. its head is stylistically closer to a Jina head than a Buddha's head.

King's cave

Another theory, by Henry Cousens and other archaeologists, supported by local legends, the statue is of an ancient king; in a photograph of the statue taken before its face was damaged, the figure lacked the Ushnisha lump that typically goes with Buddha's image. The statue has several unusual, non-Buddha ornaments such as rings for fingers, a necklace, and a chest-band; it wears a Hindu Yajnopavita thread. For more discussion:

• Badami cave temples
• Carol E Radcliffe (1981), Early Chalukya sculpture, New York University, OCLC 7223956