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Jaina Monuments of Orissa
a brief reference to the Jaina temple and the images. But his indentifications are doubtful especially in cases of the figures of Gomedha Yaksa and Ambikā carved in a common slab and that of Ambikā in an independent stone piece.
The Paraja tribe of people who reside in the village visit the place on festive occasions and even offer animal sacrifices. Brcken parts of terracotta lamps and plates are lying scattered near the shrine. The four Tirthankara images are kept in open amidst growth of bushes. But the slabs containing Yakşa-Yakşini and Ambikā are found within the dilapidated sanctum of the temple. The temple walls up to a height of five to six feet are noticed on three sides only. A huge tree emerged in the middle of the temple and it is understood from the villagers that they recovered the Ambikā image of the place with great difficulty from the trunk of that tree. Dressed stones and sculptured fragments are found scattered here and there. The area is likely to be submerged in the proposed Kolab Dam project. The villagers further informed that stones for the temple were originally bought from a place located some two k.m. away from this place where also some dressed stones are still lying.
This group of sculptures has artistic and iconographic affinity with the sculptures of Suai, discussed earlier. An account of these sculptures is given below.
1. Rşabhanātha
The first sculpture encountered at this place is the figure of Rşabhanātha carved seated in yogasana pose on a lotus pedestal supported by rampant lions facing opposite directions. The four armed Chakreśvari is found carved along with bull, devotees and Gomukha in the pedestal. She displays in her four hands two discs, a vessel and varada mudrā. The trilinear umbrella above head projects forward with beaded borders in front of the tiers. Chauri bearers are standing on the sides. The thick border of the circular halo is marked with diamond shaped designs with intervening lotus medallions. Flying figures with garlands, representations of elephants and the kevala tree are all envisaged at the top. The slab containing the figure measures 1.10m x 0.56m in all. The chauri bearers and the figure of Chakreśvari are decked with rich apparels. Hairs on the head of the Tirthankara are arranged in jață as usual. 2. Sântinātha (Fig.117)
The second figure of the site is of Sāntinātha, carved standing in kāyotsarga pose with hands kept apart from the thighs instead of touching them through figures. Deer, as symbol of the Tirthankara, is traced with great difficulty as the pedestal with the figures in its lower part is embedded in earth. The two chauri bearers are in the service of the Tirthankara. Eight planets are fourd seated on separate lotus pedestals displaying pot of nectar and rosary in hands except Surya who displays lolus in both hands. Flying figures with garlands, elephants, circular halo designed in lotus petals and enclosed by beaded borders, trilinear umbrella fronted by lotus petals and the Kevala tree spreading its branches are all envisaged with the Tirthankara. Hairs on its head are arranged in curled knots, with uşnisa in the centre. The slab including the figure of Tirthankara above ground level measures 1m x 0.52m in all.
