Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

Author(s): A Ekambarnathan
Publisher: Bharat Varshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha

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JAINA SCULPTURAL ART
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creeper designs are conspicuous by their absence in this 7th century specimen.
Two bas-reliefs, representing Mahavira and Ambika yakshi are now placed inside a modified cave temple at Thiyagadurgam in Vilupuram district. The Tirthankara is shown seated on a low pedestal with the arms loosely held a little above his folded legs. The head surmounted by an arch with flames, the triple umbrella resembling discs placed one over the other in diminishing tiers and the thinly carved chamradaris are beautifully accommodated within a conical slab.
Ambika yakshi stands in tribhanga pose, with her right arm holding a bunch of three mangoes (or flower buds) and the left placed on the head of her lady attendant. Miniatures of her two sons are shown at her shoulder level, while the lion vehicle and Somasarman are seen on the right side. An areca tree with a bunch of ripe fruits is carved behind the yakshi. These two relief sculptures exhibit the 8th century style of Pallava art.
Two early Chola sculptures of the 9th century from Mossakudi are preserved in the Pudukkottai museum. The first specimen represents a Tirthankara seated in dhyana pose with his arms loosely held above the crossed legs. The triple umbrella resembles thick discs placed one over the other. Other decorative elements are omitted in this figure. The second one is an exquisite image of Parsvanatha with a well-proportioned body, smiling countenance, snail-curls of hair, and a halo-like converging serpent hood above the head.
Among the sculptural vestiges found in the dilapidated temple at Chettipatti near Pudukkottai, the images of Mahavira, Parsvanatha (head only) and chauri-bearers are noteworthy. Mahavira is seated in