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Jaina Tirthankara Images in Orissa State Museum, Bhubaneswar
247 lost because the face is mutilated. The stele has oval prabhamandala with two flying vidyadharas on either sides holding garland in their hands. The hairstyle of the image is arranged like that of Lord Buddha with a central knot at the top of the head above which is seen the holy kevala tree. The image is flanked by two chauri bearers such as Yaksa Srenika and Yaksi Siddhayika who stands on a pedestal supported by roaring lions. The image is stylistically similar to that of Ajitanatha and Santinatha of the same place because of the hairstyle and the workmanship of these images. Mahavira
Antiquity No. : AY 50 Find Spot : Unknown Measurement : 3'9" X 2'00" X 0'10" Date
: c. 10th century AD Material : Sand stone. Another beautiful image of the last Tirthankara, Mahavira is.seen seated in yogasana over a visvapadma pedestal (Pl. 34.5). Under the pedestal, there are two lion figures are depicted. Among these, the figure at right side is completely broken. On the either side of the lions, there are two devotees holding some objects. Here Mahavira's face is slightly disfigured. The hands of the Lord are partially broken. He has curly hair with curled knot and elongated kundalas on ears. On the backside, an ornate trefoil arch can be seen which is again topped by a trilinear chhatra along with the kevala tree. There are two swans on the lowermost portions of the trefoil arch. On the top corners, gandharvas and apsaras are seen with folded hands, holding garlands and cymbals. Bharata and Bahubali are seen standing on two small lotus pedestals.
From the survey, we came to know that there are a total of 14 Jaina Tirthankara images displayed in the first gallery of Archaeology Section in Orissa State Museum. Besides these, there are also some bronze images of Tirthankaras and Sasanadevis displayed in the Bronze Gallery.
The above study reveals that the distinguishing features of these Jaina Tirthankara images are, either they are seen standing in kayotsarga pose or sitting in yogasana on a visvapadma pedestal with trivali on the neck portion. Other characteristic of these images seem to be the main figure being attended by Bharata and Bahubali as chauri-bearers and the presence of kevala tree under which the Tirthankara attained the supreme knowledge, beside other symbols consist of a throne seat, trilinear umbrella, plain halo, drum, showers of celestial blossoms, drum, and heavenly music. Flying vidyadharas can be seen on the top corners of the sculpture holding garlands. Sasanadevis and Yaksis are noticed just below the lotus pedestal or throne. In most of the cases, the conventional lanchhana is depicted beneath the pedestal. Among these, some images having the hairstyle like that of Lord Buddha i. e. arranged in curled knots which indicates that, these sculptures are influenced by the Buddhist Art. Some of the images have matted locks of hair falling on the shoulders.
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