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...
Parsvanatha image, Narayana Chhaka, Jajpur Town
The 23rd Jaina Tirthankara, Parsvanatha is worshipped here as Ananta Basudeva (Pl.XLVIA) as it carries snake canopy over his head. The site is located 200m east of Jajpur town Bus-stand near Durga cinema hall.
Parsvanatha:
The image made out of black chlorite stone and well finished stands in kayotsarga posture. Besides, snake canopy the image is adorned with a circular halo, trilinear umbrella, cymbals played with hands of invisible gandharvas at the upper part of the image. The depiction of champaka flowers superimposed with full blown lotus in a series found vertically on either side of the image. The lower part of the image is not seen clearly due to its living nature and garmented with cloths. The image is well preserved but partially damaged at the snake canopy.