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The theme of Panchtirth dominate the pat paintings. The Tirths depicted are Shatrunjay Mahatirth, Girnar, Ashtapad, Sametshikhar and Abu. The composition of each of these paintings varies greatly from one another. Artist's creativity is difinitely reflected in the composition of each painting. But by and large, the compositions follow a set tradition and the expression is highly stylized. Squares, circles and triangles are the geometrical forms that are commonly used. Paintings and sculptures are highly decorated. At times, small dots are used to highlight the figures. The clothes these figures wear are full of variety. They wear a number of ornaments too. The figures are as if infused with the vibrancy and vivacity of living
creatures. The wood carvings in the temple of Chintamani Parshwanath is of an extremely rare order of excellence. The pillars, the doors and their frames are exquisitely carved with beautiful figures of birds and animals and floral designs. There are wood carvings in quite a few other temples too. But the carvings in the temple of Chintamani Parshwanath remain simply unmatched. The themes of paintings
We find paintings on the ceilings of the outer pendals, walls, pillars, beams, doors and doorframes. The paintings depict events, activities and festivities related to Jain way of life and thought. Tirthankars, Panchtirths, the wedding procession of Neminath, the pendal where the wedding ceremony was performed, Jain monks and munis, Jain laities, different incidents in the lives of Rushabhdev and Neminath, Samavasaran or the manifestation and sermonising of the Lord, different activities of the village people, presiding godesses of different directions, divine figures, forms of gods and godesses, musicians playing upon various musical instruments, gods seated in their havenly chariots, birds, animals and so on keep on figuring in these paintings. Besides, we see dense groves, wells, tanks, large ponds, magnificent temples and forts too. Again there are highly decorated bullock-carts, horse carriages, camel-carts, flying chariots and elephants with howdahs on their backs and golden palanquins.
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68 : Jain Kashthapat Chitra
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