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...
Research Methodology
To achieve the aforesaid objective the following research methodology has been adopted.
i) Extensive field work by way of exploration and survey to identify the Jaina establishments in the state. District-wise village-to-village survey has been conducted in the potential areas.
ii) Documentation of Jaina relics based on photography, measurements, line drawing and on spot description.
iii) Documentation of tradition, legend, context and the present status of the site and vestiges.
iv) Description of each and every object, both religious and secular supplemented by photographic illustrations, measurements and drawings.
v) Discussion of structural edifices in term of plan, elevation and other architectural features and how they are different from other religious monuments and structures.
vi) Identification of cult images, iconographic features and developments and aesthetic elements.
vii) A comprehensive study of the Jaina art and architecture of Odisha with similar examples found elsewhere in the country to bring out the regional traits, if any.