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B.MS PARMAR*
A NOTE ON JAIN ICONS FROM KESHAVA RAI PATANA
On the basis of archaeological and literary traditions of the Jainas it appears that in the post-Harsa period, Jainism made headway in Rajputana, Gujarat and Central India Most of the Jain antiquities and monuments of Rajasthan belong to mediaeval period The author of the present note observed some unpublished beautiful images of Jain Tirthankaras, stylistically dated in 10th-11th centuries AD, in a Jain temple at Keshava Rai Patana,2 a historical places in the present Bundi Tehsil The temple is locally called as 'Bhuldevara' an underground temple Originally the temple was dedicated to Muni Suvrata but in VS 1683 a new structure was raised on it, as a result the main temple became the underground part of the new temple structure All the images under discussion are enshrined in the underground temple
One of the five images carved in black stone is of Muni Suvrata Around the head of the image a circular prabhamandala has been Carved with lotus and other designs. The stele on both the sides also are beautified by Vidyadharas carrying garlands and musical instruments in their hands The image is topped by an umbrella
*Superintendent, Art Survey, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Rajasthan, Jaipur 1 CE U P Shah, Studies in Jain Art, Varanasi, 2956 2 It is an old town which was known as 'Ashrama Paltan' in mediaeval period It is said that the present name is associsted with Visnu which is also known as Keshaya A Visnu temple of 17th century is still there which was said to be constructed by Rao Shatrusal, the Hara chief of Bundi 3 It is famous for its temples which are generally associated with same historical legends It is said that before the Haras, the place was under the control of Paramaras of Malava during 11th-12th centuryes AD But during 13th century it passed on to Chauhans it is also said that Hammir performed some sacred rites in the Mrtunjaya temple of Shiva near Keshava Rat Patana (Chandra Shekhar, Surjanacharita Mahakaoya, XV 40-41)
