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...
Unidentified images (Koraput)
There are five Tirthankara images are found which are not definitely identified with name as their respective lanchanas are either missing or completely defaced.
Tirthankara image (DM-4):
It is a standing image of Tirthankara (1.38 x 0.60 x 0.25m) over a lotus pedestal and flanked by bedecked chauri bearers. He is standing in kayotsarga posture and has curly hair with an usnisa at the center. The halo is multi circled behind his head and design with diamond shape and beaded boarder. Trilinear umbrella with beaded boarder crowned by kevala tree is also noticed above his head. Flying gandharvas with garland and elephant motif are found on the top of the slab at the either side. A torana with makara-mukha as crowning element is shown behind the Tirthankara image. The pilaster of the torana is carved with the seated figure of astagrahas four on each side and two in each row. The image is completely defaced only faint traces of all the above iconographical features are noticed.
Tirthankara image (DM-15):
This is an upper part of Tirthankara image (17x12x 10cm) which only depicts elephants and the flying gandharvas with garlands.
Tirthankara image (DM-27):
It is a headless Tirthankara image (32x24x10cm) carved seated in dhyanamudra over a pedestal. The place below the pedestal depicted a two armed Sasanadevi whose attributes are not clear and flanked by vigorous lions. The right side chauri bearer of the Tirthankara is only in existence while other features are missing due to damage.
Tirthankara image (DM-31):
The upper part of the Tirthankara (34x33x10cm) only found and the portion below the chest is missing. The circular halo behind his head is replete with lotus leaf and beaded boarder and surmounted by chhatra and kevala tree. Flying garland bearers and elephant motifs are found on the either side of the stone slab at the top.
Tirthankara image (DM-55):
It is a seated Tirthankara image carved in dhyanamudra. A large halo is noticed behind the Tirthankara image which covers up to the waist of the image is rarely found in any image. He has long earlobe and jatabhara on the head which makes us believe that it is an image of Risabhanatha but his lanchana bull is missing.