Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 2

Author(s): G C Chaudhary
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 32

THE JAINA TEMPLE AT THÁNA
HARIHAR SINGH
Thāna is situated about fifteen miles east of Surendranagar in Gujarat. This is an old site with some Hindu temples of remote antiquity. The place is particularly famous for Trinetreśvara Mahadeva.
The Jaina temple is a small structure situated on a hillock When Mr. Henry Cousens visited the site there were two Jaina temples standing very close to each other', but now only one of these has survived. The present temple too is in ruinous condition. It is built of grey sandstone and faces north.
It consists of a garbhagrha (sanctum) and a mandapa (hall), the latter excepting a few layers of the foundation has completely gone. The sanctum, about eight feet high, is square on plan, and is divided on its vertical axis into three parts, namely pitha, (socle), jangha (wall) and phaṁsana (superstructure). The pitha is moulded consisting of two bhitļas (plinths), khura (hoof), kumbha (pitcher) decorated with half diamonds, kalasa (torus) and kapota (roll moulding) showing caityaarch ornament. All these mouldings are bold and crudely finished. The jangha, composed of two courses of huge ashlars, is plain. It is surmounted by an overhanging cavecornice. The phaṁsana is composed of receding tiers carved on the edges with caitya-arch ornament. At present, only its two courses are intact, but when Mr. Cousens visited this temple there were three courses.
Its doorway is ornate. The sill shows an inverted crescent in the centre and a projecting kiittimukha (mouth of victory) emanating creepers on each side. The jamb is skilfully relieved with undulating foliate scrolls. At the lower part of the jamb stands a female carrying water vessel in her upraised hand, while her other hand rests on the waist. The lintel continues the decoration of the jamb but is interrup. ted in the centre by the tutelary image which represents a Jina sitting in padmāsana (cross-legged) with hands held in dhyanamudra (meditation).
The interior of the garbhagrha shows a featureless wall reinforced by four pilasters, one at each corner, and is roofed by a ceiling supported on a square frame of architraves. The base of the pilasters consists 1. Cousens, H., Somanātha and other Mediaeval Temples in Kathiāwād, Calcutta,
1931, p. 50. 2. Ibid., pl. XLVIII.