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 images at Barunei Temple, Kantabania

The site Kantabania is a hamlet of village Asanpur, under Chhatrapada post near Hatadiha. A number of Jaina images such as Risabhanatha, Santinatha and an image of Ambika are under worship at the temple Barunei of one Gagan Chandra Dash and a broken Parsvanatha image and another broken unidentified seated Tirthankara image are noticed under a tree outside the temple (Pls.LC-LIB).

Risabhanatha:

Risabhanatha, the first Jaina Tirthankara is standing gracefully in kayotsarga posture over a full blown lotus pedestal. The pedestal is engraved with a bull figure at the center and spirited lions at the corner. He is adorned with a beaded design circular halo behind his head superimposed by chhatravali and the kevala tree. The bejeweled chauri bearer, flying vidyadharas and garland bearers are representing in their respective places. The significant feature of the image is that instead of twenty four Tirthankaras only twelve Tirthankars are depicted vertically six on each side of the image last one being the Parsvanatha with snake canopy. Each Tirthankara image represented in kayotsarga posture over double petal lotus pedestal and each one surmounted a trilinear chhatravali.

Risabhanatha:

Another badly defaced image of a Jaina Tirthankara is also found under a tree. He is seated in dhyanamudra and flanked by chauri bearers on either side. Traces of beaded design halo and beaded with flower design door jamb as like images of Pratapanagari is also noticed. A band of hair is fallen over his shoulder, on basis of which the image is identifiable as Risabhanatha.

Santinatha:

The image of Santinatha seated on a lotus pedestal in dhyanamudra below which the lanchana deer is perceptibly depicted among lotus flower and buds. A kneeling devotee is noticed in front of the deer in anjalimudra. The lanchana figure is flanked by two spirited lions on either side. Two chauri bearers are standing at the bottom and flying vidyadharas with garland, cymbals and drum plays with heavenly hands are depicted at the top on either side of the Tirthankara. Eight Tirthankara images are also seen in kayotsarga posture in between flying garland bearer and chauri bearer vertically four images on each side is a rare feature in Odishan Jaina sculptures. The image has curly hair tightened in a knot at the center of the head and a circular halo with beaded design is seen behind his head. The sacred tri-linear umbrella and kevala tree are also very neatly carved.

Parsvanatha:

The Parsvanatha image in two pieces, particularly broken at the thigh portion is kept under a tree in front of the temple. From the broken part it is observed that the Tirthankara image is standing in kayotsarga posture. He has a seven hooded snake canopy, wide chest, elongated ear, curly knot design of hair with a bulge at the centre. The tri-linear chhatravali, kevala tree Dhataki and flying vidyadharas are also noticed on the top of the image. Astagrahas are also depicted vertically both side of the image. The lower half portion of the image is represented with rear end of snake coil which is depicted behind the leg portion of the Tirthankara. The Tirthankara is flanked by two bejeweled chauri bearers and female Nagi devotees. Both the Nagi image have serpent hood and seated over lotus pedestal. The dexter one while carries a nectar pot in her two hands; the left one holds the lower part of the stick of the parasol. Spirited lions and snakes are engraved on the lower base of the stone slab.

Ambika:

The Jaina Sasanadevi Ambika is worshipped as the presiding deity of the Barunei temple. The two armed deity is seated in lalitasana over a lotus pedestal. The feet of the deity are rested over her usual lanchana lion. She is holding a baby in her left lap and a bunch of mangoes in the right hand. The mango tree, the other conventional feature of the Sasanadevi is shown in the background. Her Tirthankara is placed over this tree in yogasana pose, flanked by two chauri attendants on either side of the deity.

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