Jain Journal 2007 07

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

Page 18

BAHUBALIN OF SOUTH INDIA AND WEST INDIA--
A COMPARATIVE STUDY
R.N. Kumaran' & M. Saranya Kumaran?
Introduction :
In India, each and every religion contributed to the growth of Art, Architecture, Culture and Tradition, just as every successive invasion contributed something new to India's cultural and religious traditions without destroying its intrinsic quality.
Jainism, one of the ancient religions of India, contributed much to the developinent of Art and Architecture, Sculpture and Iconography, Language and Literature and also in the field of Medicine. The Jainism of South India always have a close relationship with West India. The temples of West India were rich in sculptures and decorative patterns, particularly in the interior. This led the temples to be over crowded and the facial expression was always static, but the South Indian counterparts always have the aesthetic sense, grace, charm and variety in expression of moods and other emotion.
A comparative survey of Bahubalin of South India and West India has been attempted to have a clear view in their process of development and their stage of maturity.
Jainism in West India and South India :
Like Gujarat, South India is also not a nature place of Jainism and no Jina Tirthankara has been born here. As Jainism doesn't believe in any creator of the Universe, all the Jaina temples are dedicated to one
1. Assistant Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Excavation Branch
V, Vadodara, Gujarat. 2. Research Scholar, Dept of Epigraphy and Archaeology, Tamil University,
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.