Jaina Antiquities in Kendrapara District

The present district of Kendrapara was formed out of the erstwhile district of Cuttack in 27.03.1993. This district was formerly a sub-division of the undivided district of Cuttack^[1]. As per the Climatic Classification of Odisha, Kendrapara district falls under the `central coastal plain zone. The place derives its name from the name of the demon Kendrasura who, as per mythological accounts was killed by Lord Balarama. Balarama later on married the daughter of the demon Tulasi and settled here in Kendrapara. It is also known as Tulasi Ksherta (as Tulasi, different from basil tulsi is the wife of Lord Balabhadra) and Gupta Kshetra (Lord Balabhadra wish to stay here secretly). The district is bounded by Bhadrak district at its north, Jagatsinghpur district at its south, Cuttack district at its west and Bay of Bengal at its east. It lies in between 20⁰ 20' N to 20⁰ 37' N latitude and 86⁰ 14' E to 87⁰ 01' E longitude^[2]. The district covers an area of 2, 644sq.km. Kendrapara district lies in the river delta formed by the Brahmani and Baitarani and branch rivers of Mahanadi. A single image of Jaina Sasanadevi Ambika is so far noticed at the Kendrapara district, particularly at Kuanrpur within the Harishankaresvara Siva temple complex.

Ambika image at Harishankaresvara Siva Temple, Kuanrpur

The village Kuanrpur in Derabish area of Kendrapara is known for its ancient temple Harishankaresvara Mahadeva, (Pl.LXIA) which is located about 1km south-west of Derabish and 1/2 km south of Derabish College Chowk. The temple has a pidha vimana and a jagamohana of impecunious Kalingan order. It is a living temple, enshrining two shaktipithas with lingam and a Vishnu image. The temple is pancharatha on plan and panchanga-bada in elevation. The temple devoid of sculptural embellishment except the parsvadevata niches, which are housed with four armed Ganesa, four armed Kartikeya and Parvati. Besides, the images of different faiths viz., Buddhist, Jaina and Brahmanical sculptures also found here are Avalokitesvara, Ambika⁹⁸, Ganesa, Parvati, Astikajaratkaru, Uma-Mahesvara etc. The present temple was renovated and reconstructed by Ex-Zamindar of Ali and further repaired by Odisha State Archaeology in 2002. But, the sculptural pieces kept in the parsvadevata niches of the temple can be dated back to circa 13^th century CE.

Ambika:

The Sasanadevi Ambika (78x55x30cm) is carved seated in lalitasana with right leg pendant over a full blown lotus pedestal (Pl.LXIB). She is bedecked with a headgear, necklace, armlets, bangles and waist bands. The Sasanadevi seated under the branches of a tree which is filled with bunch of mangoes. She carries a baby in her left lap and a twig of mango on the right hand. Her second son has been shown standing right to her whose head is missing. Below the pedestal of the Sasanadevi, her lanchana lion is noticed at the centre while kneeling devotee with folded hands is noticed either side of the lion. Flying garland bearers are also noticed on either side of the Sasanadevi at the top.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

L. Mohanty and et al. (ed.), op.cit., pp.135-139.

[2]:

Web supplement: www.ordistricts.nic.in, visited on 21/12/2013,1.30pm. class="s59">98. Web supplement: www.ignca.gov.in, Archaeological Sites, Odisha Chapter, Sl.No. OR/KDP 08, visited on 21/12/2013, 10.30 am.