Jignasa Journal Of History Of Ideas And Culture Part 02

Author(s): Vibha Upadhyaya and Others
Publisher: University of Rajasthan

Page 39

Jain Temples of Caita
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Apart from the man-made destruction, the lack of proper maintenance and natural causes hasten the damage of the Jaina temples and sculptures of Caita and that is still going on. Of the three temples facing east and constructed on the slope of the hill, the roots of the Pīpala trees are penetrated in the back and northern walls of the temple 4 (figure 2). Due to this reason cracks are developed in the walls. Likewise, there are numerous thin branches of the roots entered in the walls and roofs and spread over in the sanctum of the middle temple 3.
The vegetation and plants are grown on the walls and roofs of the temples and their roots entered into the small cracks causing the seepage and deposition of silt and chemicals. In due course of times, the roots became thicker consequently the cracks broaden and ultimately the binding of the roof and walls became weaker and fallen down. If the roots of the Pīpala trees and other plants shall not be taken out of the plinth, walls and roofs of the temples and proper conservation work will not done immediately at least these three temples shall not remain stand for a longer time.
Architecture:
At present, there are only four temples on the slope of the hill and three temples in the valley, but Jain (1976: 53-54) has reported the ruins of fourteen temples at Caita. Of the four temples on the slope, three are built in a row attached with one another and facing east while fourth temple is sited at a close distance to the south and facing north (figure 3). For convenience of the understanding, the temples are numbered serially starting from this north facing temple or their positions from southwards to northwards.
On the basis of the enshrined fragmentary images it could be assumed that temple I was dedicated to three kāyotsarga tirtharkara images in tritirthikā form. All the images are headless and exist in badly damaged condition. One of them might be identified as of tirthamkara Neminātha on the basis of the depiction of cognizance conch or śankha on the seat or simhāsana. Though the cognizance of another image is not much clear, seems to be recognized as a fish or matsya, therefore the tirtharnkara of the image might be Aranātha. In the absence of the cognizance and other features the identification of third tirtharkara looks not feasible. In the sanctum, another pedestal portion of an image is also lying down but probably not belonged to this temple. As for the plan of the temple, it consists of a rectangular garbha-grha or sanctum sanctorum measures 2.3 x 2.4 meters externally and 1.6 x 2 meters internally. The inner and outer walls are plain and the flat roof is partly collapsed. The doorway of the sanctum is devoid of ornamentation and measures 1.5 x 0.6 meters. On the basis of the inscription engraved on the pedestal of preserved image, the construction of the temple might be determined in 1144 C.E.
The entire outer measurement of three temples constructed adjoining each-other in north-west direction are 3.0 x 6.7 meters and they include only a garbha-grha in plan. Though the reminiscent point out a possibility of the provision of small mandapas and sikhara portions of these temples but nothing could be said with certainty about their shape, size and other details. Of the three temples, southern one designated as temple 2, is dedicated to three tirtharkara images in kāyotsarga posture and in tritirthikā form as indicated by the presence of a long pedestal embellished with geometric designs in the sanctum sanctorum for the accommodation of three images. At present, the garbhagrha consist the fragments of two images. Of them, middle one is in its original position but without head while other image is broken in two pieces. It is quite impossible to identify the tirtharkaras of these images in the absence of identification marks. The size of the temple is 3 x 2.6 meters. The