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Jaina Monuments of Orissa
16. Pārsvanatha
The last of the series of stone sculptures belonging to the Jaina pantheon is the standing Pārsvanatha image on a lotus pedestal. A canopy of seven hooded snake is envisaged over head. It is flanked by chauri bearers and astagrahas on either sides. Music produced through cymbals played in hands flying figures with garlands, kevala tree, trilinear umbrella and kneeling devotees with offerings are the other aspects of depiction along with the images.
The marble idols of the temple represent the figures of Sāntinātha, Pārśvanātha, Chandra prabha, etc. Similarly the brass icons consist of images of Rşabhanātha. Ajitanātha, Säntinātha and Pārsvanatha. They are all of recent make and donated to the temple by the Jaina adherents of Cuttack town. The marble figures are mostly collected from Jaipur of Rajasthan province of the ancient Jaina relics preserved in the temple. But from reliable sources it is known that they were
collected from different parts of Orissa especially from Udayagiri-Khandagiri and Podasingidi. A photograph of the figure of Rşabhanātha of Pratapanagari of Cuttack district is also displayed in the temple. This figure is no more found in the site. It is understood, that some miscreants have taken away this image from the site. From the photograph it is evident that the figure was carved standing in käyotsarga pose on a lotus pedestal. Below the pedestal, its lañchana, the bull is visible. Twenty-four other Tīrthankaras and the chauri bearers flank the image on either sides. Kevala tree, trilinear umbrella, circular halo, cymbals played in hands and flying figures with garlands are the other features depicted in the same slab.
The Jaina shrines at Jaunliapatti and Kajibazar of Cuttack town also preserve a series of marble and bronze idols of recent make. The Tirthankara figures in either case are found standing or sitting displaying the significant attributes. Jaina adherents of the neighbourhood pay their homages to these shrines on sacred occasions. The most notable object of worship in the Jaunliapatti Jaina shrine is the figure of invisible Rşabhanatha carved in a marble slab. Actually no figure of Rşabhanatha in round is available, but the impression of the Tirthankara is fashioned in the slab in a concave pattern.
The Jagannatha temple at Dolamundei of Cuttack town built on the efforts of one Baba Sagardasa preserves a beautiful Rşabhanātha figure (Fig. 74) in one of its niches. It was recovered from tank at the time of renovation some ten years back as known from the local people. It stands in Kayotsarga pose on a double petalled lotus pedestal, below which bull, as lāñchana is visible. Bharata and Bahuvali stand on either sides with flywhisks in their hands. Devotees kneeling in reverence to the Tirtharkara are found below the pedestal. Hairs on the head of the figure are arranged in matted locks, a few strands of which fall on the shoulders. Four miniature figures in yogasana pose are seen depicted on the sides of the Tirtharkara. The prabhamandala (halo) behind head is decorated with floral devices enclosed by beaded borders. An indistinct auspicious mark is noticed on the chest of Rşabhanātha. Trilinear umbrella, kevala tree, flying Gandharvas with garlands and music produced through beating of cymbals and drum are all associated with the figure. In addition, two more Gandharvas holding fly
