Jainism in Bihar

Author(s): P C Roy Choudhary
Publisher: P C Roy Choudhary Patna

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of temple known as chaumukh, or "four-faced". This form of structure owes its shape to the particular character of the image it enshrines as instead of a single figure facing one way and therefore requiring only one entrance to the cell, the chaumukh is a quadruple image, or a group of four images, either of one Tirthankar, or of four different Tirthankars placed back to back so as to face the four cardinal points. Such a plan necessitated a shrine chamber with four doorways, a structural alteration which affected very considerably the design of the sanctuary, converting this into a cruciform compartment with an opening on each side. This again influenced the shape of the vimana as a whole, a circumstance of which the Jain builders took full advantage in their treatment of the exteriors of this temple type". It may be mentioned here that Sphatikmani made murtis (images) have their faces on one side but it appears as if they face all the four sides.
The temples at Parasnath hill or on the hills at Rajgir could be described as examples of the temple-cities of the Jains. The main temple on the summit of the Parasnath hill is a very old temple. The other temples at Parasnath hill are more recent but they are typical illustrations of Percy Brown's observations.
There are plenty of specimens of the other peculiarities of Jain art in Bihar, namely, Stupas, Ayagapatas, Chaitya Vrakasas, Manstambhas, Dharmachakras, Trisulas, Svastikas and Cave-temples. A Manstambha has been erected in Arrah recently. In Shahabad district Dharmachakras have been found.
In Jain architecture Stupas have an important place. Stupas are essentially Jain in character. In the Indian Empire, Volume II, in the Imperial Gazetteer of India Series it was mentioned that many stone railings are only spoken of as Buddhist railings although the art and architecture of early India were not sectarian. It has been mentioned "The Jains,
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