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Jaina Monuments of Orissa
Akhandalesvar temple of Jajpur. Of the two found in Narasimhapur, one is of Tirthankara Pārsvanātha carved standing on a lotus pedestal in Kāyotsarga pose with a canopy of seven hooded snake over head. It is flanked by two chauri bearers standing on separate lotus pedestals. Two flying figures with garlands and cymbals played in hands are depicted on either side of the image at the top. The trilinear umbrella and the kevala tree appear above the Snake hood. The figure is partially damaged on the face snake hoods and fingers in hands. Coils of snake are gathered behind the figure.
The other figure of village Narasimhapur is of Chandraprabha the eighth Tirthankara of the Jaina pantheon carved standing on a plain pedestal in Kāyotsarga pose. The chauri bearers are conspicuous in their absence on either side of the figure. The crescent moon, as lāñchana of the Tirthankara is found in front of the pedestal. Hairs on the head of the figure are arranged by curled knots. Umbrella, flanked by flying figures with garlands, is designed in three folds over head. This appears to be one of the early Jaina Tirthankaras in Orissa.
The third figure of K.C. Panigrahi's finding is the standing figure of Neminatha on a lotus pedestal supported by lions. A series of devotees with offerings are also noticed below the pedestal along with his lanchana. Two chauri bearers and eight planets flank the figure on the sides. Kevala tree, sacred umbrella, flying figures with garlands and cymbals in hands are the other features depicted along wit the Tirthankara. The image is completely covered with moss and lichen and damaged at face, umbrella, hands and the chest. Hairs on its head are arranged in curled knots with uşnisa at the centre.
In the premises of the Ganesa temple of Dasyāsamedha Ghāt of Jajpur town a beautiful Sāntinātha image (Fig. 75) is noticed. It is carved standing in kāyotsarga pose on a double petalled lotus pedestal below which his lāñchana, the deer is visible along with other devotees. Chauri bearers stand on either sides. The kevala tree, trilinear umbrella, cymbals played in hands and flying figures with garlands are all envisaged at the top. The most noteworthy feature of this image is that it wears a beaded chain around the neck. The image found to be in good state of preservation. Hairs on its head are arranged in curled knots. The temple priest was in the first instance very much reluctant to allow examination of the image. He also did not provide any information regarding the provenance of the figure. It has a circular halo behind head. All the twenty four Tirthankara figures in standing pose are represented in its sides. The figure is partially damaged in its left hand.
ple priest was not provide anyd. All the twentartially
A Jaina chaumukha (Fig. 76) has recently been collected for the Orissa State Museum from the village Bada Charpoi, located near Mangarajapur of Jajpur SubDivision of Cuttack district. This chaumukha contains in all its four niches figures of Jaina Tirthankaras whose identity is difficult to be ascertained as the lañchanas below them are not traceable. The figure displaying jata, however, may be identified with Rşabhanātha. A line of inscription is noticed in the chaumukha fashioned in the rekha temple design with square base and curvilinear upper parts surmounted by amalaka Sila.
