STUDY ON SCULPTURAL ART OF TEN JAINA IMAGES FROM THE ODISHA STATE MUSEUM OF BHUBANESWAR

The aim of present article is to focus on the sculptural features as well as religious significance of the ten Jaina images of the Odisha State Museum, Bhubaneswar. Iconography of ten Jaina Tirthankara images of the Odisha State Museum is a major aspect of the Odishan sculptural art in India. Jainism is one of the oldest religions in the state of Odisha. The earliest Jaina sculptures in Odisha date back to the period before Mauryan/Asokan. From the 6th century B.C. Jainism remained one of the major religions of Kalinga (ancient Odisha) until the first century B.C., when the Kharavela was ruling in the state. It is believed that Jainism continued to be a major religion in the state even after the war of Kalinga (261 B.C.). Jainism co-existed with other religions in the state of Odisha. In fact, Jaina Tirthankara images were made all over Odisha during the early medieval era. Some Jain images are noticed at different places of Odisha. After Kharavela, the artists of Odisha continued to create Jain images until the 11th century C.E. Out of the extant Jaina Tirthankara images of Odisha, some of the Jaina sculptures are found to be kept in Odisha State Museum, Bhubaneswar. Among these preserved Jaina Tirthankara images, ten Jaina Tirthankara images are discussed in this piece of work. The names and discovered sites of the ten Jaina images of the State Museum, Bhubaneswar are viz; 1. Risabhanath of Keonjhar, 2. Risabhanatha of Khajuriapada, 3. Mahavir image of Charampa, 4. Parsvanatha of Sisupalgarh, 5. Shantinatha of Charampa, 6. Risabhanath of Charampa, 7. Risabhanatha of Podasingidi, 8. Ajitanatha of Charampa, 9. Risabhanath of Bhubaneswar and 10. Parsvanatha of Baidyakhia. Sculptural features of the above Jaina Tirthankara images of the Odisha State Museum suggest that these images were made during the time period from the 8th century to 11th century C.E. The presence of these Jaina Tirthankara images gives an idea that Jainism was prevalent in eastern and northern Odisha during the medieval period. Artistic point of view, these Tirthankara images are very important and interesting for study. Hence, the present author has made a modest attempt to highlight the sculptural art as well as religious connotation of the ten Jaina images of the Odisha State Museum, Bhubaneswar. Methodologically, the author has written this article by using both primary and secondary sources.