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...

Santinatha image at Amrutesvara Temple, Tala Beguniapada

The temple is located on the left bank of the river Daya at the outsk irt of the village Tala Beguniapada. It is situated on the right side of the road leading from Khordha to Pattanayikia and is about 16km from Khordha. It is a renovated temple but has a rekha vimana and pidha jagamohana of Kalingan order. It preserves a good number of detached Saivite sculptures. A fragmented Jaina Tirthankara image of Santinatha[1] is also noticed.

The Tirthankara Santinatha (55x43x16cm) carved standing in kayotsarga posture over a double petalled lotus pedestal but his head is missing (Pl.XCA). Out of astagrahas five grahas are only traceable on either side of the Tirthankara image. The chauri bearer with fly-whisk stands in tribhanga posture on either side of the Tirthankara at the bottom. Below the pedestal a two armed Sasanadevi Mahamanasi seated in dhyanamudra over a lotus flower. She holds a lotus in the left hand and right hand is in bhumisparsamudra. Two elephants are depicted pouring water with pitchers over her head. A diminutive figure of deer in the right and a conch in the left side of the deity are shown placed over lotus flower. In the extreme right a kneeling devotee is seen with folded hands.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Web supplement: ww.ignca.nic.in, Archaeological Sites, Odisha Chapter, Sl. No.: OR/PRI-26, visited on 24/04/2014, 9.23pm.

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