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...
Ambika Temple, Balighat (Balasore)
The temple is located on the right bank of the river Burabalaga. It is about 1.5km north of the Shyamasundar temple of Balasore town. This is a modern flat roofed with open pillared mandapa structure houses one of the finest images of Ambika (1.17x0.60x0.25m), the Sasanadevi so far noticed in Odisha. The image is attached to a pillar placed at the centre of the mandapa. Ambika carved seated in lalitasana under a mango tree below which her lanchana lion is depicted. She carries a baby in her left lap while right hand holds a bunch of mangoes which is flocked by another child at the right. The Tirthankara Neminatha flanked by chauri bearers is represented over the head of Ambika in dhyanamudra and his lanchana wheel is noticed in his lotus pedestal (Pl.VIIA). This image is said to have been brought from a nearby village of Shergarh.