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...

Chaumukha at Hatkesvara Temple, Baruadi

The Hatakesvara Siva temple alias Mahisi Tirtha is located at the village Baruadi in the ward no.11 of Jajpur Town Municipality famous for Saivite, Vaishnavite as well as Jaina antiquities in a temple, which was rebuilt by using the stone of an earlier temple.

Chaumukha:

A partially damaged Jaina chaumukha (80x32cm) is placed in front of the Hatakesvara temple (Pl.XLVD) at Baruadi. The miniature shrine made of a single khandolite stone block has beki, amlaka and over it marks of lotus petals which resemble a miniature rekha temple. Four Tirthankara images in kayotsarga posture are carved on the four side of the miniature sarvatobhadrika[1] shrine. The lower portion of the chaumukha is broken which probably represents their respective lanchanas. All the images have circular prabhavali behind their head, curly hairs with a knot at the center, hands stretched out up to thigh, which shows their spiritual dignity. The existing portion of the Tirthankara images measures 55x23x3cm in height, width and breadth respectively.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

V. Sakunthala, “Chaumukha Sculptures in Andradesa”, in H. Rangarajan and et al. (ed.), Jainism: Art, Architecture, literature and Philosophy, 2001, p.265.

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