Jaina Iconography Essay

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Jaina Vestiges of Early Medieval Chanderi Ranbeer Singh and Goutami Bhattacharya The modern city of Chanderi forms part of the newly created district of Asoknagar, Madhya Pradesh. Earlier it formed part of district Guna. It is situated at a distance of 127 km from Shivpuri, 37 km from Lalitpur and 55 km from Ashok Nagar. The city now renowned for the Chanderi silk is situated on the banks of the River Betwa or ancient Vetravati. It lies cradled by the Vindhyan ranges and dense forests. The city is also noted for its numerous water bodies both natural and man- made; ponds, tanks and baolis (stepwells). The scope of the present paper is to present an overview of the iconoplastic art of Chanderi during the early Medieval/ Medieval period with respect to Jaina divinities. These sculptural specimens were found from the ruins of several Jaina Temples at the site of Budhi-Chanderi. They are now preserved in the site- museum of Chanderi. Jainism in Central India: Jainism is one of the most ancient religions based on non- violent and humanitarian approach towards all beings. It is an indigenous religion which originated as a protestant religious movement against the oppressive and ritualistic later Vedic religion during the 6th century BC. The term ‘Jainism’ is derived from the root word ‘Jina’ meaning conqueror of senses, the spiritual victor, denoting asceticism and based on this its multiple propagators are known as Jainas. The Jainas worship the Panch Parmeshthins or the ‘Supreme ones’, ‘Five worshipful ones’ they are- Arhat (Tirthankaras), Siddha, Acarya, Upadhyaya and Sadhu. Of these the Tirthankaras who are regarded as emancipated or liberated souls are the most popular objects of worship. Jinas and Tirthankaras conquered the senses and worldly desires and attained the perfect knowledge and eternal happiness through observing the right asceticism for
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