Jain Journal 1984 04

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

Page 47

Some Jaina Temples of Purulia
SUBHAS CHANDRA MUKHOPADHYAY
(i) The Lone Temple of Tuisama
Nearly a mile north west of the village Budhpur (Manbazar P. S., Purulia) and at the top of a table-land overlooking the murmuring Kansavati stands the forlorn temple of Tuisama. Hardly 15' in height this stone temple has tri-ratha walls, bāda and the gandi separated by a baranda with a small recess at the centre bordered by two projected hands. The central paga in the frontal side prominently projected above the doorway becomes oddly narrow towards the śikhara and it is entirely plain stone work. The only decoration in the gandi are the bhūmi-āmlās, four in number rudely cut on two anupagas or konāpagas. The walls of the vimāna form an abrupt curve near the sikhara and merge under the beki-wheel. The bāda is short-heighted and it is also plain. The silghtly projected doorway is rectangular in shape (3' in height at present, part of the lower portion is burried underground ; 2'10" in breadth) and set in the temple wall like a picture-frame. Internally, the garbhagrha is square
h a low ceiling of flat stone-slab and curiously, it has on the right hand corner a number of steps leading to the upper chamber the purpose of which is uncertain, particularly, in the case of this small temple. However, this small and bulky temple of Tuisama, a rudimentary handiwork of the architects is perhaps the oldest temple-type in Purulia. There is no image inside the temple. But the construction and size of the garbhagsha suggest that it once housed the image of a Jaina Tirthankara. This presumption may of course be hindered if we take into account the oblong stoneslabs standing half burried in a disarranged position on the ground facing the temple. These stone-slabs with amalakas overhead have each on its body a small shallow niche wherein the image either of a four-armed male figure or a male figure in dhyāni or samādhi posture (Jaina Tirthankara image ?), the image of a Divine Couple or a dancing girl is carved in low relief. If these sculptured stones have any relation with the temple, it becomes very difficult to determine whether the temple belonged to the Jainas or the Hindus.
(ii) Temples of Charra
A group of Tuisama-type temples stood in the village Charra about six miles from Purulia on the Purulia-Barakar road. Originally this group consisted of seven temples built of stone as reported by Col. E. T. Dalton,