Jaina Antiquities at Narasinghpur (Jajpur)

The village Narasinghpur is located near village Kodandapur and is about 2 km away from Jajpur bus-stand on the way to Rambag. Three important and beautiful Jaina antiquities viz., a beautiful Parsvanatha image, Risabhanatha image and a Jaina chaumukha are found in front of the house of one Shri Sadhu Panda (Pls.XLVID-XLVIIB) particularly near Narsinghpur M.E. School.

Parsvanatha image:

The image (1.35m in height) is standing on a double petalled lotus pedestal in kayotsarga posture with a seven hooded snake canopy over his head. He is flanked by two chauri bearers standing on the separate double petalled lotus pedestal. The flying vidyadharas with garlands and cymbals played by the hands of invisible gandharvas are depicted on either side of the image at the top. The tri-linear umbrella and the kevala tree Dhataki or Debadaru appear above the snake canopy. The coils of the snake are beautifully gathered behind the image in several folds fashioned symmetrically. But the most interesting feature of this image is the depiction naga and nagi figures having a canopy of three hooded snake at the bottom on either side of the lotus pedestal of Parsvanatha. While naga image depicted kneeling with anjalimudra, the nagi figure probable Padmavati his yakshi holds the staff of tri-linear umbrella which is behind his head. The Tirthankara image is partially damaged on the face, snake hoods and fingers of hands.

Chaumukha:

The chaumukha (36x20cm) is carved out of a rectangular khandolite stone block with square base and depicts four Tirthankara images viz., Risabhanatha, Ajitanatha, Chandraprabha and Parsvanatha on its four cardinal directions. The images are beautifully engraved within rectangular niches in kayotsarga posture along with divine musician at the top and their respective lanchanas at the below. Exception being the Parsvanatha image, which is flanked by astagrahas, four on either side and dharmachakra as his lanchana and presence of two women devotees at the bottom, besides his mark of his identification i.e. the serpent hood. The chaumukha is now converted to a brundabati and worshipped by the villager by planting a tulshi tree over it.

Risabhanatha image:

The Risabhanatha image (55cm in height) attached to the front wall of the Tarini temple is standing in kayotsarga posture over a plain pedestal. His lanchana i.e. bull is elegantly carved at the pedestal. An elliptical halo is marked behind his head. Two chauri attendants dressed with ornaments are also found on both sides of the images. The face of the image is broken and was repaired latter on. The image is now coated with lime plaster and painted with colours depicting garments and ornaments.