Jaina Temples of West Bengal

Author(s): D R Das
Publisher: Z_Nirgrantha_1_022701.pdf and Nirgrantha_2_022702.pdf and Nirgrantha_3_022703.pdf

Page 15

Vol. III, 1997-2002
Jaina Temples of....
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(e) Harmashra (PI.XIV and Fig. 3) Banerji25 noticed for the first time a deserted temple made of laterite at this village. The presence of several Jaina images at this village may suggest that the temple was built by the Jainas. It is a small temple rising to a height of 21-6" and facing east. That it had a mukhaśālā, can be recognised only by its foundation. The temple stands on a low base and displays a triratha plan. A pañcaratha effect, however, is obtained by producing sub-rathas (uparathas) on the rāhā. The ratio of the raha including the sub-rathas and the kanika is 1.5 to 1. The length of the garbhagrha and the wall thickness are in 2:1 ratio. The square garbhagrha has the usual garbhamuda and ratnamuda ceilings and the passageway is provided with the gamā. On the exterior, where no decoration was applied, the bada shows three vertical segments. Of them the pābhāga is a rightangled dado, the jängha is severely plain and the baranda is dernarcated, as at Deoli, by three elements, namely khurā, patā, and kanti. The gandi commencing from above the baranda is neither serrated nor divided into bhumi stages, It rises almost perpendicularly for the major part of its height and then curves inward to introduce the flat vedi on its summit. The mastaka on the vedi currently shows a large amalaka supported on a beki.
(1) Deulbhira (Pl. XV and Fig. 4)26 A temple made of laterite and facing east is standing in this village. The image installed in this temple is missing. But the discovery of a number of Jaina images including one of Pārsvanātha near the temple-site suggests that the temple was Jaina in affiliation. It is built on a low plinth and has a triratha plan. However, a pañcaratha plan is simulated by introducing sub-rathas at the sides of the rāhā. The edges of the central projection of the rāhā and those of the kaņikas are indented. The ratio of the rähá including the sub-rathas and the kanika is 1.5 to 1. In the case of the length of the garbhagyha and the wall thickness, it is 1 to 1. The garbhamuda and the ratnamuda ceilings are placed one upon another on the garbhagrha. The gamă is present on the passageway. The wall screening the gama from outside produced a gable-shaped śukanāsa on the facade. It is divided into two storeyes by a recessed frieze. A squatting lion is placed on its summit. In the bada section of the temple, the pābhāga is a square dado, the jáñgha is plain excepting for a niche on the rāhā and the baranda is indicated by khurā, patā and kānti. The niche on the rāhā in the jāngha segment resembles that in the same place on the main temple of the pañcāyatana complex at Deoli. The gandi of the temple is curvilinear but in its lower section the curvature remains almost imperceptible. The mastaka on the unserrated gandi is missing.
(g) Balihati (Pl. XVI and Fig. 5) Covered by vegetation, a desolate temple recently was discovered at Balihati27. No deity was found inside this temple to determine its religious affiliation. But Jinsar (i.e. Jinaśahara meaning abode of the Tirthankaras28), a neighbouring village, yielded several Jaina sculptures. It is, therefore, not unlikely that the temple at Balihati had