Jainism in Odisha (Orissa)

by Ashis Ranjan Sahoo | 2015 | 106,639 words

This essay studies the presence of Jainism in Odisha or Orissa by documenting the Art, Architecture and Iconography of Jaina images, relics, structures and establishments from different districts. In Odisha, archaeological evidences show how Jainism flourished during the 1st century BCE during the reign of emperor Kharavela, stating that Jainism wa...

Jaina Antiquities in Athagarh (Cuttack)

The Athagarh region of Cuttack district is also rich in Jaina antiquities bur are worshipped in some small modern temple as Brahmanical deities. They are discussed below:-

Dakhina Chandi Temple, Kantola

A Tirthankara image is noticed on the western niche of the jagamohana of the Dakhina Chandi temple. It is not properly identified due to lack of his lanchana. The temple faces south and is under worship by the local people. The temple is about 2km away from Athagarh Town and located on the right side of the old Cuttack-Sambalpur Road.

The Tirthankara images (37x18 x6cm) stands in kayotsarga posture over a lotus pedestal and flanked by chauri bearers on either side. The rear end of the image displays a beautiful torana with makara-mukha design at the end. The image is flanked by two flying gandharvas seated over lotus pedestal and below it are depicted hands playing with cymbals. In between the Tirthankara and torana-stamba, champaka and lotus flowers are depicted one above the other. Well decorated hallo, trilinear umbrella and kevala tree are the other features of the Tirthankara.

Risabhanatha and Mahavira, Adyashakti Temple, Kantola

The image is found placed in front of the Adyashakti temple. It is a single stone slab (38x25x6cm) depicted two headless Tirthankara images such as Risabhanatha and Mahavira (Pl.XXXIXA). Each has a separate lotus pedestal below which their respective lanchana viz., bull and lion are depicted. The Tirthankaras are flanked by the chauri bearers and astagrahas on both sides.

Kapilesvar Temple, Taradinga, Jaina Sasanadevi

The Sasanadevi image is placed on the wall of Kapilesvar Temple. The four armed Sasanadevi is seated over a lotus pedestal in lalitasana pose. She wears a karanda mukuta over which a small Tirthankara image is carved seated in dhyanamudra. Two attendants are found in two separate pedestals below which two lotus symbols are found. The hands of the deity are missing.

Besides, a lone image of Jaina Tirthankara carved out over a natural laterite block is noticed on the top of the hillock Nuagarh, backside of the Athagarh palace complex (Pls.XXXVIIIC-XXXVIIID). The Tirthankara stands in kayotsarga posture No cognizance is carved below but no cognizance is found at the pedestal.

Jaina relics are also reported from Baidesvara, Chatia and Chandol (Salepur area) of Cuttack district. A bronze sculpture of Risabhanatha found from village Barunia of Darpani estate of Cuttack. The image was presented to Odisha State Museum by the then Zamindar R.K. Tripathy of Bayree. It is carved seated in yogasana pose on a lotus pedestal supported by rectangular base with legs. His conventional lanchana bull is depicted on the pedestal. A decorative oval halo, kevala tree and umbrella are all noticed at the top forming parts of the pratiharyas. Hair on the head of the Tirthankara is arranged in matted locks, a few rolls of which hang over the shoulders.

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