Jaina Monuments Of Orissa

Author(s): R P Mohapatra
Publisher: D K Publications

Page 97

Survey of Jaina Monuments of Orissa
75
seven hooded snake is noticed over his head. Another small snake, as the mark of cognizance of the Tirthankara is carved in front of the pedestal. Hairs over the head of the Tirthankara are arranged in dropping locks with a usnisa at the centre. The elongated ears and trivāli on neck add graceful vigour to the figure.
I have no occasion to examine the other metal idol of Kakatpur kept in village Tulasipur. But learnt that it is a figure of Tirthan kara containing a line of inscription.
Two Jaina relics are noticed in the ruined Baga Mahadeva temple premises of village Panchagaon some 15 kms. from Bhubaneswar on the Jatni road. River Gangua is originating from this place. Of the two relics, one is the figure of Tirthankara Rsabhanātha and other is a slab containing as many as 160 Garadhara and Pūrvadhara figures (Fig. 57) carved standing in nine rows. The top most row contains fourteen figures all in standing posture in the centre of whom Rşabhanātha as mulanāyaka is seated in yogāsana pose on a lotus pedestal. His hairs on the head are arranged in matted locks and lāñchana, the bull is faintly carved below the pedestal. The lower row contains only ten Ganadhara figures. Both the slabs are annually worshipped as Savitri and Satyavāna by the local people.
Other relic of the place is the image of Rşabhanātha (Fig. 57) carved standing on a double petalled lotus pedestal below which his lāñchana, the bull is lying. Two devotees, one male and other female, are carved in kneeling position and añjalihasta behind the bull. The two chauri bearers are also seen standing on separate double petalled lotus pedestals on the sides of the Tirthankara above whom are the eight planets in Yogasana pose with conventional aitributes in hands, the flying figures with garlands and cymbals and drum played in hands are envisaged. The hairs on the head of the Tirthankara are arranged in matted locks, few rolls of which seen falling on the shoulders. The Prabhamandala behind head is designed in circular form and devoid of decorative art. The umbrella, surmounted by the kevala tree is partially mutilated.
In village Iginia, near Khandagiri, two Jaina relics, one the figure of Rşabhadeva and the other a head of a Tirthankara are kept near the Mangalā shrine. They were very likely collected from the Udayagiri and Khandagiri hills.
During 1971 a number of stolen sculptures were recovered by the Guards of the Archaeological Survey of India from the Chandaka Jungle. In the group, a seated figure of Jaina Tirthankara was found. It measures 37cm x 19cm and depicts the conventional chauri bearers, trilinear umbrella and the Kevala tree along side of the main figure. A group of six devotees in a row are carved below the pedestal. The recovered sculptures were kept in the Chaukidar's shade at Udayagiri and Khandagiri.
A severely damaged but repaired Pārsavanātha image (Fig. 58) was brought to the Orissa State Museum from Village Siśupālgarah located in the close vicinity of Bhubaneswar. It was recovered from the adjoining paddy fields some time during 1975