Jaina Monuments Of Orissa

SR No.: 022826
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: R P Mohapatra
Publisher: D K Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 384
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 145

Survey of Jaina Monuments of Orissa
123
12. Rşabhanātha
The last image of the site also represents the Tirthařkara Rşabhanātha seated in meditative pose on a plain pedestal supported by lions. Its lanchana, the bull depicted near the four armed Chakreśvari, ihe Sasanadevi of Rsabhanātha. She displays in her four hands contrary to others of the place a disc, a mace, varda and a pot. She sits on her vehicle, the Garuda and profusely decked with ornaments. The circular halo behind head of the Tirthankara is decorated with lotus petals and beaded borders. The chauri bearers, trilinear umbrella, kerala tree, drum played in hands, devotees in kneeling position, flying Gandharvas with garlands and elephants are all represented in this image as they are available with the other Rşabhanātha figures of the place. Its hairs are arranged in jața a few strands of which noticed on the shoulders. This figure is kept in the open and damaged in the face. It measures 0.88m X 0.52m in all and extensively covered with moss and lichen.
At a short distance from this place is traced another Rşabhanātha image in a badly ruined shrine, the stones of which up to the foundation are removed. One has to walk down the distance through paddy fields and barren land to reach the place. Shrubs have grown round the foundation. The only image of the site is kept in the centre of the broken shrine. From this stray find it is presumed that several such shrines were located in the area in the past and their establishment within the enclosure of the Suai temple may be due to their occurrei.ce in the neighbourhood. It may just can be inferred that the two temples found in dilapidated condition may have been constructed originally in that place and the other miniature shrines preserving Jaina relics in the same premises were later additions. Jain a relics from the neighbourhood were collected and preserved in these shrines in a subsequent date.
The Rşabhanātha image noted above is carved seated in yogasana pose on a plain pedestal supported by a lion in each corner. The Sāsanadevi, Chakreśvari seated on Garuda and bull as lāñchana are noticed below pedestal flanked by devotees in añjali hasta and Yaksa Gomukha. She displays in her four hands discs, varada and a vessel. One of the two chauri bearers on the pedestal holds a champak flower in the left hand. The decorative circular halo, kevala trce, trilincar umbrella, drum played in hands, elephants and flying figures with garlands are the other features available with the Tirthankara. Hairs on the head are arranged in jaļā, a few locks of which are seen falling on the shoulders. The figure is badly damaged at the face. It measures 0.87m x 0.52m in all.
Kachela, a village of the Pattangi Taluk on the southern bank of the river Kolab was once a stronghold of Jaina activity. It is 10 k.m. from Bhaghara water falls and some 15 k.m. from Koraput, the Headquarters of the district of the same name. About a furlong to the south of the village under the foot of the Deo Donger hill are noticed the ruins of a stone temple containing six extremely beautiful Jaina relics within its premises (ästhäna mandapa). The temple while standing measured some 30' X 10' as reported by G.Ramdas.47 In his article on the Kachela copper plate grant of Krishnadeva he makes
47. 6. Ramadas, JAHRS Vol. VI, pp. 8-14.