Jaina Antiquities at Sainkul (Keonjhar)

The village Sainkul situated 12km to the south of Anandapur, a hub of Jainism. A gigantic Tirthankara image (1.22x0.91m) in cross-legged posture is firmly embedded in earth in front of a modern Siva temple Gangesvara, located on the eastern end of the village. The figure is so much mutilated that it has lost its grandeur and now beyond description. The pedestal of the image buried under the ground, hence the lanchana is not visible. Another image of Risabhanatha (80x55cm) seated in padmasana pose is loosely leaned against the temple wall inside the temple along with the Siva linga. The cognizance mark bull is clearly visible. The image bears all the characteristic features of the Jaina Tirthankara image of the 9^th century CE.

Another important Jaina artifact inside the temple is the Jaina chaumukha (40 cm in height). Figure of Tirthankaras in kayotsarga postures are engraved on four sides are found in the chaumukha. Besides the figure of Parsvanatha, other three cannot be identified as their cognizance marks are not discernable.

In the middle of the village two Parsvanatha images are housed in a modern RCC shed and worshipped as Ananta Narayana by the villagers. These two figures are identical and carved out of muguni/chlorite stone blocks in cross legged posture. Both the figures are in good state of preservation. The left figure (91x73cm) and the right ones (64x34cm) are of equal treatment. Seven hooded snake canopy over their heads are the cognizance marks. The flying vidyadharas occupy the top corners of the slab. The mutilated Jaina figures in the nearby village show the influence of Jainism in this area.