Jainism in Bihar

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

Page 71

It is, however, peculiar that the largest temple in this area is a Saivic temple. This temple appears to have been a later addition and a little east to the great temple are the ruins of the second largest temple in the place. The temples are profusedly ornamented with sculptures. Jain influence on the sculpture is not absent. That this area was at some time or other under Jain iofluence is also shown by the find of some Jain statues in the neighbouring villages of Bilonja. When Beglar visited Bilonja in 1872-73 be found one naked Jain statue said to have been taken from the ruins of Chechgaongarb.
Strangely enough Manbbum is a district where there are Jain antiquities in abundance lying exposed and neglected. The more one enquires the more relics come to one's knowledge. The little known village Pabanpur in Barabhum Pargana was obviously an important Jain centre in olden times. There are a number of ruined temples and broken antiquities. Some of these temples have exquisite carvings and have the impress of Pala influence. On all sides of the temple there are damaged images of the Tirthankars. Another small village Par at a distance of four miles from Anara Railway Station has also certain Jain antiquities but there has not been any exploration of the area. Some of the antiquities of this area had been sent to Calcutta Museum and are preserved there. One of them is a 2 ft. high image of Shanti Nathji in Khadgasan. This is slightly damaged.
Probably because the Jain images many of which are still unbroken are lying exposed under trees or on sites which were once temples very little attention has been paid to them. The cluster of images that the writer saw at various parts of the district in neglected spots remind ono as to what a commotion would have been made bad they been discovered as a result of a digging. As no State protection has been given they have been freely utilised on the walls of