Jaina Antiquities at Basulei Thakurani, Sitalesvara

A number of Jaina antiquarian remains are found scatter in a half constructed modern brick structure in the outskirt of Sitalesvara village near the paddy field. The Jaina vestiges include fragmented parts of many Tirthankaras, Sasanadevi Ambika and a mastaka portion of a chaumukha. (Pls.XLIVD-XLVB)

Ambika:

This image stylistically represented like other Ambika images with her Yaksha found in different parts of Odisha. Ambika (20 x20x05cm) is seated left to the Yaksha in lalitasana with left leg pendant over a fine carved lotus pedestal. She holds a mango twig in her left hand while right hand rest over the pedestal with facing downward. The head portion of the Yakshi is totally missing while the portion above the waist of the Yaksha is also missing. Six female figures are shown seated in rajalilasana and hold some object in their right hands and left hands of the respective devotees placed above the left thigh.

Mahavira and Parsvanatha:

Mahavira and Parsvanatha are carved in a single stone but the upper part is missing. Both the Tirthankaras are standing in kayotsarga posture over a pedestal. The pedestal is divided into five segments by a narrow border. The segments below the Tirthankaras are depicted their respective lanchana such as lion and snake while other is engraved with full blown lotus petal. The seven hooded snake canopy of the Parsvanatha is available but the upper portion of Mahavira is missing. Only a defaced figure of chauri bearer is noticed on the left side of Parsvanatha and the other one on the right probably missing.

Besides, the above discussed images, a mutilated Tirthankara image without head and lower part below the knee standing in kayotsarga mudra is found. A head portion of an image probably of a Tirthankara and mastaka portion of a miniature rekha temple, probably remnants of a chaumukha is also found there.