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92 Śramana, Vol 61, No. 2 April-June 10
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Jina), Candraprabha (8th Jina), Śreyāṁsanatha (11th Jina) and Pārsvanatha (23rd). Of these, Pärśvanatha, who is considered to be a historical Jina and who is usually assigned the time of 8th century B.C, occupies the most venerated position in Varanasi. As a consequence Varanasi became the place of Jaina pilgrimage. In the ambience of Varanasi, we come across plenty of ancient and medieval Jaina vestiges in the forms of icons and temples. The most important of such examples are found from Rajghat and several others places in Varanasi (Bhelupura, Bhadaini Mata Anandmai Ghat, Ramghat and Maidagin) as well as from Sarnath. The Jaina remains from Varanasi belong mainly to a period from 6th century A.D. to 20th century. These remains are affiliated to both the Śvetambara and Digambra sects and most of the temples are dedicated to Supārsvanatha and Pārsvanatha However a few images of Ṛṣabhanatha (1st Jina), Vimalanatha (13th Jina), Neminatha (22nd Jina) and Mahāvīra (24th Jina and senior contemporary of Buddha) whose lives are not associated with Varanasi, are also found.
Although we do not have surviving ancient Jaina temple in Varanasi yet on the basis of the antiquity and continuity of Jainism. in Varanasi, as established by the Varanasi-Kalpa of Vividhatirtha Kalpa (of Jinaprabha Sūri of 14th century A.D), mentioning about the Pārsvanatha temple of Varanasi, it may be postulated that some ancient Jaina temples dedicated to Pārsvanatha must have existed in past.
One of the earliest images from Varanasi represents Mahāvīra which is now preserved in Bharat Kala Bhavan, Varanasi (Acc. No. 161). The image, datable to c. 6th century A.D., is particularly significant because it is one of the earliest examples which shows the cognizance of the Jina which in present case is lion. The graceful image exhibits all the features of the Gupta images which are to be seen in its plasticity, serenity, elegance and animation. The body contours reveal vegetative rhythm. The image shows a wonderful
