Jaina Temples of Western India

SR No.: 006730
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Harihar Singh
Publisher: P V Research Institute Varanasi
Publication Year: 1982
Total Pages: 362
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 27 MB

Page 125

108
Jaina Temples of Western India
The temples are still under worship and are Santinātha, whose name is recorded in the Tirthadedicated to Mahāvira, Säntinātha, Pārsvanātha, mālā referred to above. Neminātha and Sambhavanatha. The present dedication, however, seems to be incorrect, for a MAHAVIRA TEMPLE Tirthamala of 1442 A.D. attributes the dedication
On plan it consists of a malaprāsada, a gadhato Adinatha, Säntinātha, Neminätha, Pärsvanätha
mandapa having entrances on the front and on each and Mahāvira.66 There is no doubt about the num
side, a mükhamandapa, a rarigamandapa enclosed by ber of shrines, but in the dedication list the name of
eight devakulikās on each side and three niches Sambhavanātha is replaced by that of Adinatha.
instead of devakulikas on either side of its front, and It appears that the central images in some of these
a balāņaka (Fig. 22). The temple is entered throtemples were changed during later repairs, 67 with
ugh a porch from the front as well as from the out caring for the actual dedication. This was
lateral sides. The front entrance opens in the quite likely, for the central images in all these
balanaka, while the lateral entrances are coaxially temples are of the subsequent dates.
arranged with the gūdhamanda pa doors. The back According to the inscriptions hailing from these
walls of the niches and the devakulikäs upto their temples, there is hardly any doubt regarding the
termination at the lateral entrances form an dedication of the temples of Neminätha,68 Pärs
outer enclosing wall of the temple, while the vanatha69 and Mahāvira.70 The dedication of remaining part of the jagati is surrounded by a the Mahāvira and the Pārsvanātha temples is also
prākāra, ensuring hence complete seclusion and corroborated by the iconographic testimony. In providing an outer ambulatory to the shrine. the Mahavira temple this is evident from an image
Except for those appearing on the sanctum and of Siddhāyikā, the Yakși of Mahävira, facing the
the güdhamandapa, the superstructures of all the mülanayaka in the sanctum. The image is located
compartments are now plastered up with white in the centre of the architrave supporting the
lime. ceiling built just above the stairway leading to the
Mālaprasada mukhamandapa. In the Pārsvanātha temple this is apparent from the remains of a seven-hooded cobra
It is tryanga on plan, comprising bhadra, praticanopy over the milanāyaka image in the sanctum,
ratha and karna, the bhadra being the longest and from the appearence of the Näga figures, instead
the karna the shortest (Fig. 23). The karna is of the usual Vidyādharas, on the points of the
broken into three planes and is equilateral, but kolas of the gūdhamandapa dome, and from an image
the pratiratha is treated like a slender pilaster.
Between the angas are salilantaras, which are not of Padmāvati, the Yakşi of Pärsvanātha, represen
carried down to the pitha. The salilantara between ted as lalatabimba on the northern door of the
the karņa and pratiratha is reinforced by a minor gūdhamandapa. The temple of Santinātha seems to
konika, which also terminates at the pitha. be originally dedicated to Adinātha. This is clearly evident from two inscriptions found in the In elevation it shows pitha, mandovara and Sikhara. temple, which attribute the dedication to him.71 The pitha is simple, consisting of a bhitta, a jadyakThis is also supported by the iconographic evi- umbha bearing representations of caitya-arch dence. The mukhamandapa ceiling in front of the enrichment and half diamond on each bhadra, a güdhamandapa door contains an image of Cakreśvari, karnika and a patrika. The mandovara is divided the Yakşi of Adinātha, who is depicted facing the into three parts, namely vedibandha, jangha and mälanayaka in the sanctum. Besides, there are two varandika. The vedibandha is also simple, pertaining large images of Cakreśvari and Gomukha (Yaksa to a khura, a kumbha carrying decorations of half of Adinātha) depicted in one of the side bays of diamonds on the body and a narrow plain band on the rangamandapa. The temple of Sambhavanātha the shoulder, a kalaša, an antarapatra, and a kapota does not bear any inscription, but there is little embellished with caitya-arch pattern. The jangha, Scope for doubt that originally it was dedicated to divided into two resisters by a kirttimukha-band and