Jain Journal 1989 07

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

Page 34

JULY, 1989
mention may be made of those at Harmashra, Bahulara, Kendua, Barkola, Paresnath, Ambikanagar, Citgiri, Dharapat, Biharinath Hill and Deulbhira which were evidently centres of Jainism. Temples of Saresvara and Sallesvara in the said district belong to the Jaina group. Architecturally, they belong to circa 10th century A.D. The District of Manbhum is also rich in Jaina antiquities. Large ruins of Jaina establishments and temples exist there in places like Charra, Sanka, Senera, Boram, Balarampur, Palma, Arsa, Deoli, Pakbira, Lathondungri and Dulmi. The temple at Rajpara-Organda, Dt. Midnapore, belonging to the medieval times, is also of Jaina character. There were perhaps more temples in Manbhum than in the rest of Bengal put together. The development of Jainism possibly centered round the valleys of Damodar, Kansavati and Suvarnarekha, which abounds in scores of Jaina shrines and caityas as well as images in stone of the Tirthankaras and Sasanadevatas, appertaining to Jaina hierarchy. In the following paragraphs the temples in the districts of Purulia (part of the Manbhum which has come to West Bengal and has become a separate district), Bankura and Burdwan are being described briefly locality-wise.
31
Deoli (Purulia)-This place, which is several miles to the southwest of Purulia town, was once a stronghold of the Jainas. The vestiges of the same consists of four stone temples in the four corners with a larger temple in the centre. In one of this pañcāyatana group is found the lifesize image of Tirthankara Aranatha. Over the trefoil area round his head can be noticed the carved-out images of three Tirthankaras in each side in two rows. From Jorapukur, a place adjacent to Deoli, were found several images of Jaina hierarchy.
Pakbira (Purulia)-Several temples in brick and stone as also stone images of the Tirthankaras were found from this place, which is only few miles to the south-east of Purulia town. Images include those of Mahavira, Parsvanatha, Kunthunatha, Neminatha, Santinatha and Rsabhanatha. Most of these images are now being housed in a shed, which possibly occupied the site of a stone temple. Particular mention may be made of one colossal stone image of Mahavira, locally known as 'Bhiram'. There is an inscription in the pedestal of the image written in the characters of the 9th-10th century A. D. i.e. the time of Pala suzerainty over Bengal. Some have characterised it as an image of Candraprabha. The name 'Bhiram' was probably derived from, the second part of the name Mahavira. The place-name Pakbira was also possibly derived from 'Mahavira' (Pakbira meaning the place of Bira, i.e. Mahavira). Some of the temples at Pakbira face to the west and south. The temple, which covers the shed, was once a stupendous temple and faced to the west.