Jaina Art and Architecture Vol 03

SR No.: 011014
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: A Ghosh
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 403
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

Page 311

CHAPTER 38)
MUSEUMS IN INDIA
op all four sides. On the latter, the figure of Pārsvanatha only can be recognized, while on the formor the two Tirthankaras, Rşabhanatha and Pārsvanatha, are identifiable. The Museum has a mana-stambha (260, height 1-09 m.) which shows one hundred and thirty-nine small images of seated Tirthankaras, of which only Rşabhanätha can be identified.
BALCHANDRA JAIN SHIVPURI MUSEUM
The Museum has an interesting collection of Jaina sculptures, mainly frora Narwar (ancient Nalapura). Only the more interesting images are described here.
CATURVIMŠATI-PATTA : The sculpture (167, size 1.06 m. by 46 cm.) shows miniature figures of all the twenty-four Tirtharkaras along with their symbols carved below their feet in a row. It has an inscription stating that the patta containing the images of the twenty-four Tirthankaras was installed in sarhvat 1063 (A.D. 1006).
TIRTHANKARAS: There are a number of standing Tirthankara images in the Museum. Most of them are ascribable to the twelfth century, as is evident from a short inscription incised on the pedestal of one of the images (146) of Candraprabha (plate 369). It tells us that the image was installed in sarvat 1241 by Jayacandra along with his wives, Suhana and Monă, and his son, Ašādhara. Another image (2, height 2 m.) represents Ajitanatha who is shown standing in kayotsarga under a triple umbrella with amalaka and kalasa at the top. Above the umbrella is a decorated niche with the figure of a Jina scated in dhyana-mudra. On both sides of the main figure were two standing cauri-bearing Indras who are now missing. The pedestal of this figure is beautifully decorated with lions. It also shows a niche with the miniature figure of a seated Jina, above which are carved a makara-torana and kirttimukha. The symbol of Ajitanātha, elephant, is just below the pedestal flanked by two devotees on either side. The next image (3, height 1.55 m.) is of Sambhavanatha with his symbol, horse. The chatra of the image is flanked by two elephants having lotus-buds in their trunks. The pedostal shows a couple of devotees. The images of Abhinandananātha (4, height 2:05 m.) and Padmaprabha (5, height 1.95 m.) are more or less similar to the image of Ajitanatha described above excepting their respective symbols. The other Tirthankaras are similarly represented in various other standing images. Of these, one of the most beautiful images (19, height 1.35 m.) of the collection, bearing an excellent polish, cannot be identified in the absence of any symbol.
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