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PRABUDDH JEEVAN
JULY 2017
JAIN ART AND ARCHITECTURE ENLIGHTEN YOURSELF BY SELF STUDY OF JAINOLOGY
LESSON - SEVENTEEN (CONT.)
Dr. Kamini Gogri
The Gupta period (4th century to 600 AD) Jain RishabhdevarBarvani in Madhya Pradesh state need sculptures are reported from several sites, like Mathura, special mention for their magnificence and heights. The Rajgir, Kahaum, Nachna, Durjanpur (Vidisha), icons are worshipped only after consecration ceremony Varanasi, Chausa and Akota. The images of lasting for seven days with high pomp and show. This Rsabhanatha, Ajitanatha, Candraprabha, Puspadanta, ceremony has a large frequency for the last quarter of Neminatha.
this century. The Jain art and literature thrived most vigorously Jain icons are found ever since 400 BC in different between the 10th and the 15th century AD The period parts of India. They are most numerous. Seeing a saw the building of a very large number of Jain temples number of different icons in any museum, one can judge with exquisite sculptural carvings. During the period about the development of iconography with respect to the new forms and iconographic features (excepting material and aesthetic beauty. Palitana is one of the that of the Jinas) of various deities were formulated best center for variety of idols. Formerly, all Jina idols and gradually the number of arms and thereby the were made nude and without identification marks, but attributes increased to make the most of the later they had the marks like lion (Mahavir), hooded manifestations more as the specimens of codified cobra (Parshvnatha) and bull (Rishabhdeva) etc. texts. The parikara(surrounding) of Jina images also sometimes with or without eight auspicious symbols developed with the figural depictions of Navagrahas, on both sides of identification marks. The images of Sarasvati, Laksmi and diminutive Jina figures. many lesser deities were also incorporated later in this Besides, the usual astapratiharyas and the yaksa- art. They included demigods and the like. yaksi figures were also carved. The angularity and Footprints are also a specialty of Jain art to make flexion along with embellishments and ornamentation one remember to follow the path led by the Victors.. were other distinct features of medieval Jain Marked and adored images were also made for sectional sculptures. Parsvanatha and Mahavirajinas were identification later. This idol making art is a highly carved during the period.
creditable one in Gujarat and Rajasthan states of India. The art and architecture of the Jains have the main The temple making art is also superb in Jain objective to maintain, preserve and glorify the culture architecture. Currently, one can distinguish the regional extensively. They also glorify the devotees too temples by their architectural designs in west and internally with psychological bliss. Jains realized that central part of the country. These temples are places true art represents the spirit of true religion. Besides of Worship where Jina idols along with demigods and its religious value, it has been taken as a treasure of goddesses are kept on stone or marble made altar the country. That is why many Jain art centers have under aesthetic beauty. Many temples have fine become tourist attractions now.
decorative art of surprising nature such as at Khajuraho, The Jains could feel proud of their rich cultural Deogarh, Mt. Abu, Ranakpur etc. The temples heritage since the earliest times. It has a religious sometimes have a magnificient tope in front of them orientation in its art in varied forms. Being such as at Hastinapur, Mathura etc. Many temples have predominantly idolaters, they have good iconography free standing pillars called vanity-subduing pillars again and icon making art. They could make the victor's icons a speciality of the Jains in religious field. of different sizes, materials, (wood, stone, metal, Excellent Jain architecture and sculpture can also marble etc.) and postures (seated or standing). They be seen in the rock-cut caves found in Mathura. Bundelcould carve icons out of stones also. All icons have khand, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. A number of rockbeen made according to dimensions with attractive cut caves have been discovered in Udaigiri and meditating faces of victors expressing the idea of Khandagiri, twin hills in Puri District of Orissa and in Ellora successful withdrawal from worldly life. There are in Maharashtra. many idols of international accreditation one of Bahubali Excavated mainly as retreats for Jain ascetics, they at Shravanbelgola in Karnataka (983 AD) and Lord belong to the first century and second century BC. The
