Jaina images at Kapilesvara Temple, Nuadhana

The temple of Kapilesvara is located on the left side of Kandarpur-Jagatsinghpur Road and about 1km from Dogachhia chhaka. It is situated on the outskirt of village Nuadhana in the Biridi gramapanchayat. The modern built temple preserves outstanding sculptures of Saivaite, Vaishnavite and Jaina faiths. The outstanding Jaina sculptures (Pls.XXXIXB-XLC) of the temple include Risabhanatha, Chandraprabha and Parsvanatha^[1] which are discussed below.

Risabhanatha:

The first Jaina Tirthankara Risabhanatha stands in kayotsarga posture over a lotus pedestal as mulanayaka and flanked by two chauri bearers on the either side at the bottom. The Tirthankara has a high conical defaced mukuta and elongated earlobe. He is depicted at the center on the projected flat surface of the stone slab while other Tirthankaras are carved in diminutive size on the recessed stepped surface at the boarder of same stone slab. Among the 23 Tirthankaras, seven on either side, four at the top, five at the bottom seated in dhyanamudra over their independent lotus pedestal are beautifully represented. Flying vidyadharas with garlands and drums played with hands of invisible gandharvas are also shown on either side of the image at the top. In between the drum player and chauri bearers, three full blown lotus flowers are depicted. Three tiered chhatravali flanked by branches of kevela tree are found at the center of the top above his head. His lanchana bull is carved in kneeling position with upraised tail just below the feet of the Tirthankara and amidst the lower five seated Tirthankaras. The image is partially defaced at the crown a nd lower parts of the both hands. The image is carved in a black chlorite stone and the stone slab is narrowed down towards the top. So it measures 35cm in width at the top while 45cm in width at the bottom. The image is attached on the rear wall of the jagamohana and worshipped as Lord Siva. Presently, all the Saivite rituals are associated with the images.

Parsvanatha:

Carved in black chlorite stone (73x40x16cm), the twenty third Tirthankara is found attached on the frontal right wall of the jagamohana. He stands in kayotsarga posture over a viswapadma. He has curly hair and a raised central knot at the top, elongated ear and trivali mark at the neck. A seven hooded snake canopy with two coiled tail is marked behind the image. Further behind, a makara torana with the shape of makara mouth end and square pillar decorated hanging pendants are shown on either side. Single chhatravali flanked by kevala branches are placed at the center, above the serpent hood. In between chhatravali and flying vidyadharas, cymbals and drums played with invisible hands intermediate with champaka flowers are engraved. Two chauri bearers bedecked with kirtimukha, circular puspa-kundala, necklace, yajnapavita, valayas, armlets, nupura, girdles and short dhotis. The pedestal below the Tirthankara image shows three kneeling devotees in anjalimudra on either side and naga and nagi figure in human form at the center also in anjalimudra flanked the viswapadma. The image and hoods of the snake are partially damaged.

There is another Tirthankara image kept at the recess in between the vimana and jagamohana of the same temple. Parsvanatha (60x34x15cm) carved out of black chlorite stone stands in kayotsarga posture over a double petalled lotus pedestal. The seven hooded snake canopy with curly hair is marked on the either side of the image at the back. Just above the lower end (tail) of the snake, chauri bearers are standing in tribhanga posture with cross legged. The torana behind the image has shown just like a decorated stool and decorated with circular mark, flying vidyadharas, cymbals and drums played by divine musicians are shown on either side of the serpent hood. The serpent hood is surmounted by three tiered chhatravali flanked by kevala tree. Full-blown lotus mark found on either side of the chhatravali. The panel below the feet of the Tirthankara shows kneeling devotees with folded hands.

Chandraprabha:

The image (75x42x15cm) carved out of black chlorite stone is attached on the outer wall of the jagamohana at the entrance. The Jina stands in kayotsarga posture over an unfinished viswapadma, below which his lanchana moon (crescent moon) is clearly visible. He has curly hair and elongated ear. The narrow waist and broad chest of the Tirthankara resembles that with the image found in Khandagiri hill at Bhubaneswar. Behind him a stylized torana with makara-mukha design is engraved. The image is carved with three tiered chhatravali flanked by kevala branches. It is further flanked by a champaka flower on either side. Flying vidyadharas topped by cymbals and drums played with invisible hands on either side of the torana at the top. The chauri bearers bedecked with ornaments and dress, stands in tribhanga posture with crossed legged over caparisoned elephant. Except the lanchana of the Tirthankara nothing clearly visible at the pedestal, as inserted into the cement plaster. The face and genital organ of the Tirthankara is partially damaged.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

B. Rout (ed.), Jagatsinghpur; Atita o’ Bartamana (Odia), Jagatsinghpur, 2006, p.61.