Jinamanjari 2000 09 No 22

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 22

axis of the body. The images of Karitali (Raipur Museum) and Bilhari have these features adjusted to the canonical requirements. The particular images of the period were of Pārsva and Candraparabha, and Padmaprabha at Bilhari. Close to Narasingpur at Barahata and Naunia, the figures of Rşabha, Pārsva and Mahāvira seem to belong to this period.
The eleventh C.E., particularly the second and third quarter witnessed the efflorescence of sculptures in Dahala region. The decorative details got increased in the parikara, and a very delicate scroll work covering portions of halo and the whole background of relief heightened the sculptural aesthetic quality during this period. Although the Jina images are monotonously similar in their seated or standing postures, the wealth of decorative details on the parikaras is what makes the images of this period very distinctive. The parikaras from Dahala in the early 9th C.E. lack in details except for the garland bearers at the top of stele and an attendant or attendants on either side. In the tenth C.E., the details of parikara tend to proliferate and have such motifs as elephants, attendants, Jina groups standing or seated and fly-whisk bearers. Below the Jina images have usually a couch from which in the middle, hangs an astaraka which is sometimes decorated with festoons and carries the cognizance of Jinas. Pedestals indicate balusters with the inset figures of devotees or the lions or such symbols.
Courtesy of Tirthankar Mahavir April 2, 1977, ed. Prof. Ravindra Malav, University of Jiwaji, Gwalior, India
REFERENCES AND NOTES
1. Many of the sites in the region were explored by Cunningham and his assistants, Bagalar and Garrick in the last century.
2. K.D. Bajpai in the Bul. of Ancient Indian History and Archaeology (Sagar, 1967),
p. 74.
3.Cf. M.G. Dikshit, Madhya Pradesh Ke Puratatva Ki Ruparekha (Sagar 1954). p.70; Tripuri-1952 (Sagar 1955), p.12, pl.VII,B.
4. Cf. V.V. Mirashi, Inscription of the Chedi Kalachuri Era, Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, Vol. IV (1) (Otacamound 1955. Inscription no.59, pp. 310-311; A. Cunningham, Archaeological Survey of India Reports, Vol. IX, p.40; R. Bhanadarkar, P.R.A.S.W.I. for 1903-04, pp.54-55.