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...
Jaina Antiquities at Panchagaon (Khordha)
The village Panchagaon is located on the right bank of the river Gangua and on the left side of the Lingaraja temple road leading from Bhubaneswar to Jatani. It is about 7km from south-east of Lingaraja temple and 8km north-east of Jatani. The Bhagamahadeva temple is situated on the western outskirt of the village Panchagaon. It is a ruined Siva temple survived up to the plinth level. A well and a rock-cut tank are also found in close proximity to the temple. The Bhagamahadeva temple has a square sanctum fronted by a pillared jagamohana. The tank is provided with embankments on each side with bathing ghats on the western and southern bank. Two Jaina images have been kept in a newly constructed RCC building by Odisha State Archaeology in the year 2003-04 near this temple. Both the Jaina relics i.e. Risabhanatha and the votive tablet depicting ganadharas and Purvadharas[1] are worshipped as Satyaban-Sabitri by the local peoples.
Risabhanatha:
The Tirthankara (47x24x12cm) is carved standing in kayotsarga posture over a double petalled lotus pedestal[2]. His lanchana bull is carved along with kneeling devotees with folded hands below the pedestal. He is flanked by chauri bearers at the bottom and garland bearers, cymbals, drums played with invisible hands are also depicted at the top. His hair is arranged in jata style and few curls of his hair falling over the shoulders of the Tirthankara. A plain circular halo, kevala tree and chhatravali are also represented over the head of the Tirthankara (Pl.LXXVD).
Votive Stone Tablet:
A stone slab (46x26x8cm) depicting 161 figures of ganadharas and purvadharas carved standing in kayotsarga posture except the mulanayaka i.e. the Risabhanatha (5x4cm) who is carved seated in dhyanamudra. The ganadharas and purvadharas are carved in nine rows and each row contains 10, 18,18,18,18, 20, 22, 22 and 14 figures from bottom to top respectively. The topmost line depicted Risabhanatha at the center and seven on each side. His hair is arranged in matted lock design and bull as his lanchana is faintly carved below the pedestal (Pl.LXXVIA).
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
R.P. Mohapatra, “Archaeological Remains of Village Panchagaon”, OHRJ, Vol. XXVIII, Nos.182, 1982, pp.17-23.
[2]:
R.P. Mohapatra, op.cit.,1984, p.75.