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Jaina Monuments of Orissa
At Jambhira, some six km. from Hatadiha Block Headquarters one could find a figure of Ambika (Fig. 89) fixed to a Tulasi pedestal in the centre of the village. In description this image tallies with the figure we find at Ramachands temple of Podasingidi. It too, is carved in lalita pose on a double petalled lotus pedestal holding a baby on the left lap and the mango twig in the right. Her vehicle the lion seen below pedestal along with two devotees. She is crowned by her Tirthankara Neminatha having usual attributes of the sacred umbrella, kevala tree, chauri bearers, flying Gandharvas with gar lands, lanchana flanked by lions and cymbals played by hands. He is seated on a double petalled lotus pedestal.
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The Chandi temple of the same village preserves an image of Mahitamardini Durg on the sides of which figures of Pārśvanatha and a chaumukha of the Jaina pantheon are found.
At Ana, a village on the road leading to Anandapur, an image of Pärivanatha (Fig. 90) the twenty-third Tirthankara of the Jainas is found in front of a thatched house. This was originally collected from Vaidakhia as known from the local inhabitants. It measures 0.35mx 0.20m and carved standing on a lotus pedestal in Kayotsarga pose. A canopy of seven hooded snake found over head in addition to kevala tree, umbrella, flying Vidyadharas and cymbals and drum played in hands. The pedestal contain figures of Naga kanyas in folded hands and other devotees.
Near Thunigaon, under a tree two Jaina relics are found. One of them is the figure of Rṣabhanatha (Fig. 91) and the other of Yakşa Gomedha and Yakşini Ambika carved on a common slab. The figure of Rṣabhanatha measures 0.38m x 0.25m and carved standing on a lotus pedestal flanked by chauri bearers and eight planets.
Bull, his conventional lañchana and devotees found below the pedestal. The prabhamandala (halo) in oval shape behind head has been lavishly decorated. The sacred umbrella flanked by flying Vidyadharas with garlands in hands is envisaged at the top.
As indicated earlier the figures of Yakṣa Gomedha and Yakşini Ambika are designed on a common pedestal. Head of Ambika is detached from the body but found nearby. She is seated in lalitasana pose with a baby placed on her left thigh and a mango twig in right hand. Yaksa Gomedha displays varada mudra in his right hand while the attribute in his left hand appears to be indistinct. Both of them served by a series of six devotees carved below the pedestal in a row. As the place is very near to Podasingidi it is just possible that some local people brought them from there for worship.
The village Banchua, located few miles from the main road preserves a large number of antiquities in open mostly belonging to the Brahmanical and Sakta religion. I I have never seen a village with so much of loose sculptures in the neighbouring areas. On close examination, I could trace a headless image of Parsvanatha carved on a lotus pedestal supported by lions and a canopy of seven hooded snake. Chauri bearers are traced on either sides. Lotus and Champak flowers marked on the sides. The pedestal contain number of Naga kanyas in folded hands.
