Jaina Antiquities in Boudh District

Boudh was a sub-division of previously undivided district of Phulbani. This enjoyed the status of a separate district on 22.12.1993 and was named after its headquarters town, Boudh, a place located on the bank of Mahanadi. The district lies between 20⁰ 22'N and 20⁰ 50'N latitudes and between 83⁰ 34' E and 84⁰ 49' E longitudes. It is bounded on the north by the districts of Sonepur and Anugul, on the east by Anugul and Nayagarh, on the south by Nayagarh and Kandhamal and on the west by Balangir and Sonepur^[1].

Boudh is one of the centrally located districts of Odisha. The strategic location of Boudh led her to play a significant role in the evolution of Odishan art, architecture and culture. Being located on the bank of Mahanadi, Boudh offered a suitable land to various political powers to display their efficiency in the field of politics and cultural activities. Stellate Siva temples, the remarkable architectural marvel in Odisha located in Ramnatha temple complex of Boudh town^[2]. It is located on the right bank of the river Mahanadi in Malipada area, the district headquarter township of Boudh on the left side of the N.H. 224 leading from Boudh to Sonepur. These temples (Pl.XVIC) bear the name of Bhubanesvara, Swapnesvara, and Paschima Somanatha^[3]. These are the wonderful temples built of red sand stone, profusely carved and each of them had a cell and an attached small portico star shaped in plan. The general form of these temples is like three identical temples each standing on a raised platform (pista). The triple temples are arranged on three corners of a rectangle, the first two facing east and the other to west. Two temples are standing at the southern and northern ends of the base line of the imaginary triangle, known respectively as Bhubanesvara and Swapnesvara facing east. The temple at the apex of the triangle is Kapilesvara, faces west^[4].

These temples are unique in their architectural design. The presiding deity i.e. Siva lingam with yonipithas is also found in star-shaped design. The ground plan of the temple is star-shaped or stellate, formed by intersecting two squares at 45⁰ of the eight angles. One in chemsfered serves as the frontal passage while other seven angles are ornamentally carried along the structure up to the visama^[5]. On the basis of architectural and sculptural embellishments, the temple can be assigned to the Somavamsis period^[6] i.e. circa 10^th century CE. The temples seem to be the representation of sculptures of different religious cult. Besides Saivite sculptures, images of Buddhists and Jainas are also found depicted on the bada portion of the temples but in diminutive size (Pls.XVIIA-XVIID). The Tirthankara figures are carved in low relief clearly show that they stand in kayotsarga postures. They are mostly carved on the khura and basanta portion at the raha, anuratha and kanika pagas. Survey indicates fourteen numbers of Tirthankara images are carved on the temple wall but it may increase if the temples are in good state of preservation. It indicates the religious tolerance of this period, region and the rulers which supports the view that Somavamsis kings Siavite by faith but are very loyal to the Jainas.