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...
Chaumukha, Jatesvara Temple, Sitalesvara Chowk
The Jatesvara temple is located in close to Sitalesvara M.E. School, on the left side of the road leading from Jajpur town bus-stand to Viraja temple. It preserves one small votive stupa depicting Parsvanatha in one of its faces.
Chaumukha:
The chaumukha fashioned in form of a circular votive stupa is represented with an image of Parsvanatha in kayotsarga posture in one side (Pl.XLVC). A modern cement concrete shakti/yonipitha is added to the shrine. Local people worshiped him as Lord Siva namely Nagesvar as the image has serpent hood behind its head. The khandolite stupa measures 55cm in height and 90cm in its perimeter. Three more Jaina chaumukhas of similar fashion have been recovered from the dry river bed of the Vaitarani near Kothavasantapur. These chaumukhas contain only one Risabhanatha figure in kayotsarga posture with the lanchana bull carved below. Other three sides of the chaumukhas are plain without any carving.