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...
Tritirthi image at Banesvara Temple, Balasore Town
It is located on the right side of the river Budhabalanga in Puruna Balasore and 1km from the Balasore town. It is a modern concrete flat-roofed temple but housing a few ancient images of Saiva, Sakta, Saurya and Jaina pantheons. The present temple (Pl.VIB) was built over the foundation of an earlier temple.
Three Tirthankara images represented in a common slab is found in the garbhagriha of the temple worshipped as Saivite god. All of them stand in kayotsarga posture over a common lotus pedestal and flank by a pair of chauri bearer. The central figure is identified with Risabhanatha as he has jata-bhara on his head, his one of the identical marks and the other two features are not clear in absence of lanchana or any other distinct marks (Pl.VIC).