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112
jaina Monuments of Orissa
A beautifully carved chlorite image of Pārsvanātha is kept under a Hiñjala tree behind the residence of one Sri Kailas Chandra Jena of village Koisali located in the close neighbourhood of Badasai 37 It measures some 1.35m x 0.7Cm. The figure is carved standing in kayotsarga pose on a double petalled lotus pedestal extending hands up to the knee region. A canopy of seven hooded snake i.e. found above its head. The coils of the snake originating from the bottom are gathered behind the figure. The decoration of the outer part of the coiled snake is extremely noteworthy. Chauri bearers flank the figure on either sides, standing on separate lotus pedestals. Nāga devotees in folded hands are noticed on the lotus pedestal. Flying figures with garlands in hands cymbals and drum played in hands of invisible figures and branches of kevala tree with fruits are also envisaged on either side of the Tirthankara. Hairs on its head are arranged in curled knots with an uşnisa in the centre. A portion of the stele of the right side along with the flying figure is damaged and kept near the image. The figure is mutilated at places like front parts of the snake hoods, upper parts of the chauri bearers of the right side, reproductive organ and face of the Tirthankara. The kevala tree has not been envisaged in the usual place.
A slab containing two small Gandhara figures in kāyotsarga pose is also kept near this Pārsvanātha image.
About one hundred metres away from this place amidst paddy fields is the original site probably from which this Jair a image was excavated and brought to this place. This place is now locally known as the site of Andhāri Kshetrapāla. For the present it contains two fragmentary pieces of Jaina relics. They are half buried under ground. A few pieces of dressed stone slabs are lying in the close vicinity. The larger piece of the two is the torso of a Jaina Tirthankara. It s head is gone so also the other distinguishing features. It stands in kāyotsarga posture. The other fragment depicts two pairs of Ganadhara and Purvadhara figures also in standing posture.
N.N. Vasu38 traced the foundation of an ancient Jaina shrine having the sanctum and its porch at the site.
At Barudi, a place located at about one kilometre away from Badasai, a figure of Ambikā is worshipped in the name of Kutāsuņi Thakurāni under a banyan tree amidst paddy fields. A large number of terracotta figurines of horses and elephants are also lying scattered at this place. Local people offer vali (sacrifices) of goats, cocks and other birds at this place during festive occasions. This image of Ambikā is carved seated in lalita pose on a plain pedestal like that of the figure we noticed at Badasai. Her mount, the lion is depicted below the pedestal. A mango tree is carved above her head spreading branches on two sides. In her four hands she displays a bunch of mangoes, varada mudra and conical objects whose identification is difficult at this stage. She is elaborately decorated with costumes and ornaments. The entire slab including the pedestal measures 0.30m in length and 0.16 m in breadth.
37. 38.
Ibid., pl. 20. Ibid., pp. 46-47.
