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Jaina Monuments of Orissa
In the premises of Kāli temple at Balighat on the bank of river Buddhabalanga at Balasore a figure of Ambika (Amra) the Sasanadevi Neminātha is found fixed to a pillar. The priests of the temple inform that it was originally collected from the paddy fields of Gadiamala village near Shergada in 1972 and is now worshipped as Pārvati. Made of chlorite stone this two-handed image measures 0.85m x 0.35m. It is seated in lalita pose, holding a baby on the left lap while the right hand holds a twig (stalk) containing three mangoes. The original head of the baby is replaced by an elephant head giving appearance of Ganesa. On close scrutinisation it was found that the head is made of cement. Another naked child standing to the right is trying to pluck a mango from the stalk. The lotus pedestal has in it the lion as the vehicle of the deity, series of devotees in knceling posture and heaps of offerings. The mango tree laden with leaves found behind the figure with Tirthankara Neminātha at the top in yogasana pose flanked by chauri bearers. His lāñchana (in lotus petalled form), kevala tree heavenly music, umbrella and flying figures with garlands in hands are all envisaged. The image of Ambikā is decked with rich apparels like girdle, necklace, ear-studs, bracelets, anklets and head ornaments. Her hair-do is of typical variety displaying the bulge to the right.
An image of Sāntinātha (Fig. 95) standing in kāyotsarga pose has recently been collected for the Orissa State Museum from village Martasol in Jalesore area of Balasore district. It measures 0.52m x 0.27m x 0.9m. Designed on a double petalled lotus pedestal this figure displays all the main attributes of a Jaina Tīrthańkara image like the kevala tree, the umbrella, the heavenly music, prabhāmandala, flyihg Gandharvas with garlands and a series of devotees with offerirgs and armed with weapons. His lañchana, the deer is depicted below the pedestal. In addition, his Sāsanadevi, Mahāmānasi is found depicted sitting in padmāsana flanked by two elephants at the top pouring sacred water. She displays Varada mudrā in one hand and lotus on the other.
A makara torana supported by Gajavidālas with chains of pearls falling from their mouths is adding beauty and grace to the whole composition.
Two more Jaina relics have been collected by the Orissa State Museum from a place called Manikchauk of Balasore district. They are one, the figure of Santinātha (Fig. 96) and the other a Chaumukha. The image of Santinātha is a peculiar one. Though it displays deer, the usual Tāñchana of the Tirthankara, it has a canopy of five hooded snake on the top of the head. This snake canopy often confuses, this image with that of the figure of Pārsvanātha in which case we find the canopy consisting of seven hoods, or Supārsvanātha with five hoods of a snake. It stands in kāyotsarga attitude on a lotus pedestal below which are heaps of offerings. Chauri bearers are found on the sides in addition to the seated figures of eight planets displaying their conventional attributes. Heavenly music produced through cymbals and drum also noticed at the top of the figure. It measures 17cm X 10.5cm x 5cm.)
The Chaumukha (Fig.97) measuring 40cm x 10cm x 10cm is designed in a miniature pidha deula style. It has five tiers in gradual receding pattern and supported
