Jain Journal 1993 10

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

Page 47

OCTOBER, 1993
The iconographic characteristics of the three copper icons are given below:
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a) Pārsvanatha (Caubisi)
In this caubisi icon the back is divided into 5 vertical rows with the decorated flat elevated lines. These have beautifully carved square flower designs. There are 24 icons in Padmāsana posture. The Mulanayaka in Kayotsarga stands on lotus placed on a rectangular pedestal. Above the serpent hood is the prabha decorated with lion head and flower design. The lower and open ends of the prabha embellished with makara supported by the pillar like vertical partition. Above the lion head can be seen the chatra-trayi with decorated edges and a prominent knob in the tip. It is surrounded by the dropping leaves and five cakras. These cakra designs resembling flowers is characteristic in the two stela of this temple. The whole stela is designed as a prabhā with upper half embellished on the edges with jwalas and terminating into a flower design with clover shape. The pedestal is rectangular and is decorated with five Vidya Devis alternating with four Dharma Cakras on the corners of the pedestal are seen two crouching lions. ( Plate 2)
b] Fourteen Tirthankaras
This unique stela bears close resemblance to the caubisi in general decorative details. However, the number of Tirthankaras and some decorative designs and embellishment vary from the late II. Here in the absence of any lañchana, the mulanayaka is not easily identified. Since there are fourteen Tirthankara icons and the stela is worshipped during Anantha Vrda Nombu, the mulanayaka is identified as Śri Ananthanatha. (Plate 3)
In
The two steles (Plate 2 and 3) differ only in minor details. the upper edge of the Plate 3 the torana design is exquisitely carved. The semi circular firacakra is decorated with flower design only and above is the triple umbrella. The creeper design above trichatra is characteristic in that there only 5 flower designs enclosed inside a decorated panel. In the pedestal the dharma cakras are not seen between the Vidya Devis.
In both the steles there are only five flower designs which may probably represent pañcavratas preached by Tirthankaras.