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Survey of Jaina Monuments of Orissa
few yards south of the Kali temple referred to above at Jeypore. The identifying mark of the image could not be traced as the lower portion of the figure is embedded in earth.
Among other objects, three Jaina relics have been collected from the Jeypore palace in the past for the Orissa State Museum. Two of these relics represent Mahavira and one Ambika. The Mahavira image is carved seated in meditative pose on a pedestal supported by lions. The cognizance mark is badly eroded but in difficulty it can be identified as a lion. The two armed Sasanadevi of the Tirthankara is depicted below the pedestal in padmasana. The attributes in her hands are not visible distinctly but they appear like lotus and a vessel. The pedestal is flanked on either sides by devotees in kneeling position and folded hands. The chauri bearers are noticed on the sides of the Tirthankara as usual. Among other attributes, the circular lotus petalled halo, trilinear umbrella, surmounted by kevala tree, flying Gandharvas and Apsards with garlands, elephants are all depicted along with the figure. Hairs on the head of the Tirthankara are arranged in curled knots. It measures including the pedestal some 0.46m x 0.24m ×0.13m.
The second Tirthankara image of the place can with difficulty be identified as Mahavira. It measures 0.37mx 0.24mx 0.9m and is carved seated in the same yogasana pose on a plain pedestal supported by lions on the corners. Eight planets in a row like that of Mahavira image of Borigumma are found depicted in front of the pedestal. Hairs on the head of the Tirthankara are arranged in curled knots. Lion, the läñchana of the Tirthankara is badly eroded. His Sasanadevi found depicted in the centre of the pedestal along with devotees on either corners. One of the two chauri bearers displays champak flower in hand in addition, contrary to the usual fashion of resting on the thigh. The Tirthankara is represented with a circular lotus petalled halo, trilinear umbrella, surmounted by kevala tree, flying figures with garlands and elephants as the other customary attributes. A portion of the decorative umbrella in front is damaged and missing.
The third figure of the series represents Goddess Ambika, the Sasanadest of Neminatha. It is carved seated in lalitasana on a pedestal supported by her läñichana, the bull. She displays in her right hand a bunch of mangoes and holding a baby on the left. The tree behind her is studded with mangoes. Her Tirthankara is found seated at the top flanked by flying Gandharvas with garlands in hands. Another male baby. is standing to the right of Ambika near the pedestal is covetously looking towards the bunch of mangoes held in her hand. The figure of Ambika is badly damaged at the face.
As reported earlier, the district Muscum at Jeypore preserves some thirty-four pieces of Jaina sculptures. They include, twenty-one from B. Singpur, two from Charmula, two from Korapat, seven from Jamunda and two from Kamta.
The author of the Orissa District Gazetteer, Koraput gives the following observation on the Jaina relics of B. Singpur and its neighbouring sites.
49. R.C.S. Bell, 1945, p. 120.
