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। स्वः मोहनलाल बाठिया स्मृति ग्रन्थ
12. JAINA PAINTINGS AT KARANTAI
Karantai is an important medievel Jaina centre, situated 18 kms, south west of Kanchipuram, having a temple dedicated to Kunthunatha. Subsequently, shrines meant for Mahavira, Adinatha and Ambika yakshi were added in the same temple complex. Among them, the Yakshi shrine was built in the 16th century A.D. Remains of some 17th century paintings have been noticed recently on the ceiling of its mandapa.24
The ceiling was divided into horizontal panels and each one was painted with themes drawn from the life story of Ambika. Although most of them have disappeared with the passage of time, certain scenes like two Royal men riding on a chariot drawn by horses, attendents carrying royal umbrellas and banners accompanying them, Ambika Yakshi worshipping Jaina monks and offering food to them are cleanly visible. At the centre of the ceiling is a huge depiction of a Tirthankara is kāyotsarga, flanked by two miniatures of Tirthankaras in similar pose.
In the front part of the ceiling, two panels depict a Muslim king (Nawab) and his nobles standing in reverential attitude. Their head dress and garments are painted in the typical Muslim royal style. According to local tradition, the Nawab of Arcot once paid a visit to this temple and made some endowments for the conduct of worship to the Yakshi.25
Most of these painting have been spoiled due to seepage of rain water from the roof of the mandapa. Fungal attack on them cloud also be observed everywhere, Moreover, a thin layer of soot formed over the paintings has blurred them. Attempts are being taken up to chemically treat these paintings and preserve them.
24. A. Ekambaranathan, "Dicovery of Jaina paintings at
Karantai". Mukkudai, Oct. 1996, pp. 1011. 25. Ibid., p. 11
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