Jain Journal 1984 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 37

APRIL, 1984
Now we may cross over to Purulia district bordering on the State of Bihar. Situated not far away from the Sameta Sikhara of the Jaina tradition and identified with the Pareshnath Hill in Bihar where most of the Tirthankaras attained nirvana, the ancient Manbhum attracted many a Jaina pilgrim and followers by whose munificence and patronage shrines were erected in later times. Except a few remains of the early mediaeval period earlier temples are now extinct. At Senara near Raghunathpur there is a ruined Jaina shrine now in complete ruins where a huge rock-sculpture carved out from schistoze rock and personifying a Tirthankara can be noticed. Not far away at village Sanka a beautiful image of a free-standing Tirthankara Rsabhanatha flanked by the groups of Tirthankaras is still being worshipped. The village Charra on way to Purulia in ancient times was a centre of religious activity for the Jainas is well attested from the numerous findings of Jaina sculptures and architectural pieces including the caumukhas which has been reported by R. D. Banerjee in his 'Eastern School of Mediaeval Sculptures'. A beautiful caumukha has been seen to be decorating a fountain situated at the entrance of the newly built Ramakrishna Mission Institute at Charra. From Jhalda we have collected a headless image of the Tirthankara Adinatha or Rsabhanatha with his lanchana, bull, prominently shown. Further extreme in the Suvarnarekha valley at a village called Deoli situated near Suisa Railway Station a pañcāyatna shrine in ruins having a Tirthankara peeping through the fallen stone blocks have been noticed. But among all these remains pertaining to the Jaina religion, as noticed in Purulia district the ruins and relics still lying in a neglected condition at the village Pakbirra (Puncha P.S.) situated about 25 miles south-east from Purulia, the district headquarters, surely deserve some consideration for a brief description on account of its wealth of fine sculptural materials. Besides, the crumbling temples (only three stone temples are now standing in a very dilapidated condition) which occupy the area, the colossal figure of a Jaina Tirthankara (height nearly 7") carved in round on chlorite locally being worshipped as Bhiram commands the respect and attention of the visitors.
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The Tirthankara is standing in kayotsarga pose on a low pedestal on which a lotus symbol is carved and is flanked by cauri-bearers on his two sides. From the lañchana carved on the pedestal it seems that the sixth Jaina Tirthankara Padmaprabha has been represented in this sculpture. The towering figure standing straight by dedicating himself for the cause of humanity and keeping its head high above the surrounding ruins symbolises the spiritual exaltation amidst trials and tribulation in worldly life. The open shed in which the image described above has been noticed is also being used as a 'store-house' of numerous loose sculptures, some