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6888
TESTATA OHIO
15 Detail from a Panchatirthi pata depicting Satrunjaya, painted cloth, Palanpur dated A.D. 1433 (Gujarat)
30 x 32" cms.
This pata painting (cloth painting) incorporates five or more tirthas (pilgrimage centres) of the Jains therefore called panchatirthi pata.
A pilgrimage to Satrunjaya hill at Palitana in Gujarat is considered an act of merit by the Jains. Small panchatirthi pata are made for home worship, but the larger ones are intended for exhibiting in front of the temples on the full moon day of the bright half of Kartika (Oct-Nov) for those who are unable to ascend the hill.
This pata is a unique example as it is a long and narrow scroll of a very early date and provenance. A portion of this pata is cut away and is in another private collection.
The scene here illustrates a congregation of pilgrims assembled at the foot of Satrunjaya hill. On the left is a samavasarana of Parsvanatha, meant for the edification of the devotees. The round kunda, tank, may be identified with Lalitasarovara built by Vastupala-Tejapala at Satrunjaya. The pavilion by the side has a figure of a tirthankara Such images are carried in processions even today. Near the chariot, a man picks flowers from a flower stand while a servant is ready to pour water over them to clean them. There are other scenes of dancing and music, preaching scenes, etc., which remain common to other patas of this category.
Published: Moti Chandra, Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India, Ahmedabad, 1949.
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