Jain Journal 1984 04

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

Page 59

164
JAIN JOURNAL
At Pakbirra there are two miniature temples. Both these replicas
wo mouldings in the pābhāga above which there are on all the four sides figures of Jaina Tirthankaras standing in the case of one and seated in the other flanked by their respective attendants. The gandis of these temples are pida-shaped. The smaller temple has three pidas with marginal recess in between and the surfaces of the pidas have leafy designs. The bigger temple has two broad pidas separated by a comparatively large recess with perforated designs. The pidas are decorated with scroll-work and leafy designs, while the lower pida has two swans facing each other at the centre. As crowning element both the temples have a thick and broad beki surmounted by a large amalaka.
These miniature pida-temples occupy a significant place in the history of temple architecture of Manbhum. Pida deuls are rare in this part of Western Radha. Hence, these replicas may testify to the fact that at one time single pida deuls of this variety had been erected on the soil of Manbhum side by side with the rekha temples. At least it may safely be concluded that this type of temples were not unknown to the architects of Manbhum.
All the miniature temples which came down to us belong to the Jaina pantheon. These were votive offerings of the pilgrims, devotees to the Faith or the laity as marks of their religiocity. According to the Jaina iconography, these miniature temples are called caumukha temples or pratimā-sarvatobhadrikā. While commenting on the caumukha temples of Charra Sri R. D. Banerjee observed : "These caumukhas differ from their prototypes of the ancient period, e.g., the four-fold images or pratimă-sarvatobhadrikā of the Mathura School of Sculpture and from the modern and medieval caturmukhas of Rajputana and Central India. They are more or less like the Buddhist stele or miniature temples of the Eastern School.”15
Photographs : Fig. 1-3 by the author, fig. 4-15 by his friend Sri Shib Sundar Dan, Hemanta Art Press, Purulia.
16 Eastern Indian School of Medieval Sculptures, R. D. Banerjee, p. 144-146.