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JAIN SYMBOLS
In Jain art symbols have a special importance. These symbols are basically symbols of various parts of Saamavasaran. Symbols and signs having special significance are Dharmacakra (wheel of religion), Swastika, Vardhamangala, Nandyāvarta, Nandipada, Caityavṛksa or Siddhartha Vrksa, Trirala (trident), Kalasa (aspersorium or pitcher), Bhadrāsana (padestal or seat), Matsya (fish), Puspamāla (flower-garlands), Aśokavṛkśa (Ashoka tree), Puspavṛsti (shower of flowers), Dundubhi (drum), Chatra (umbrela or canopy), Camara (whisks), Bhāmaṇḍala (orb), Ghaṇtā (bell), Sarpacinha (snake-sign), Gangā (river Ganges), and Yamunā (river Yamuna). They were liberally used in ancient idols, temples and inscriptions. In ancient times icon worship was popular. Among the remains of Indus civilization symbols like trirala, bull, etc. are found on many seals and idols.
Vivid carvings of symbols can be seen in various caves at Udayagir-Khandagiri. Most widely used symbols there are Vardhamangala, Swastika, Nandipada, Caityavṛksa or Siddhartha Vrksa, pair of snakes, Dharmacakra, and insignias of Tīrthankaras.
These symbols are generally found in all temples and images.
CAVE TEMPLES
Cave temple is just another style of Jain temples. Archaeologists are of the opinion that in the remote past temples were not constructed, only stūpas (mound-like memorial structure) were erected. These stūpas were made at the place of death of some great man or in memory of some specific incident. These stupas later evolved into cave temples. In the same period the construction of vihara also started. The evolution of cave temples culminated in the tradition of temples as freestanding structures. With the progress in the fields of architecture and sculpture the design and architecture of the temples underwent progressive changes.
Jain cave-temples are found in many states of the country. The oldest cave temples are those at Udayagiri-Khandagiri. There is a cluster of 117 cave temples here. At no other place cave temples are
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