Jainism in Bihar

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

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pavement is composed of fine slabs of blue veined marble and on a white marble pediment opposite to the entrance five very beautiful idols of the Jain Tirthank ars sit in dignity waiting for the prayers of their disciples, which are rendered more deep toned by the echoing influence of the domes that forms the ceiling of the sanctuary. The centre figure, which represents Parasnath as a naked figure sitting cross-legged in an attitude of abstract meditation, is cut out of a beautiful piece of black marble. It measures between three and four feet high, as sitting and is a remarkable graceful idol, in full preservation. The other four are each about two feet and a half high, all of them of white marble and one of them wearing the same hood which adorns the head of the central image, as the peculiar ornament of Parsvanath. On the pedestal of each idol the same inscription appears that Shuogal Chand Jagat Seth erected it in A. D. 1765. The chamber which constitutes this sanctuary is about twenty feet square and between thirty and forty feet high to the centre of the dome. There are no ornaments beyond those I have described, but the marble pavement, pedestal and idols are the handsomer for being unadorned. Of the four smaller appartments at the corner two remain empty and the other two contain each seventeen idols of all sizes (but all of the Jain form and posture) ranged along a ledge in the wall. These appear to have been left at will by pilgrims who may have been anxious to consecrate their household gods at the shrine of Parasnath."
"It is held to be necessary that every gumti or tuk should be visited and receive an offering at the hands of each pilgrim and as many of the peaks are
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