Jaina Monuments and Places First Class Importance

Author(s): T N Ramchandran
Publisher: Veer Shasan Sangh Calcutta

Page 70

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JAINA MONUMENTS
1. PADMAPRABHA: the 6th Tīrthankara. Height witir pedestal 5}", without pedestal 3". Seated in sam paryanka on a padmasana attached to a bhadrāsana and against a back piece which reveals grooved knobs and flames as in Nälandā bronzes. A padam (the red lotus) which is the lāñchhana of this Tirthankara is marked on the padmāsana in front. An ushnisha and curly hair characterise the head.
9. CHANDRAPRABHA: the 8th Tīrtharkara. Total height 101", height of image alone 5". Seated in samparyanka on a bhadrāsana and against a backpiece which presents certain decorative details recalling Nālandă. Such are grooved knobs on the sides, flanking makara heads and halo with its edge of beadcourse and occasional flames. The halo is surmounted by the crescent which stands for the lāñchhana of this Tīrthankara who can be identified as Chandraprabha. Srivatsa mark can be seen in the middle of the chest. Facial type remainds one of Chittagong Buddhas and is also found in Nālandā; hence can be said to date from 10-11th centuries A.D.
3. NANDISVARA IN THE FORM OF A SHRINE : Inscribed. Height 1'-6".75; base is 6".25 square. A quadrangular and pyramidal tower surmounted by an amalaka and much corroded, is placed on a square base, and consists of three storeys each of which is supported by a pillar at each angle, the storeys diminishing in height from below upwarcis. Figures of the 24 Tirthankaras are arrang ed on these storeys, 12 on the bottom one - g on each side - and all standing ; 8 on the middle one - 2 on each side - and all seated in samparyanka. Among the four on the top can be made out Pārsavanātha who can be distinguished by a canopy of five snake hoods over his head. All the Tirthařkaras bear the triangular Srivatsa mark on their chests.