Jaina Architecture and Iconography in Andhra

Summary

"Dr. N.S. Ramachandra Murthy presents a detailed account of Jaina art and architecture in Andhra Pradesh, emphasizing its spiritual aesthetics, regional evolution, and archaeological richness. Jain art, guided by philosophical ideals of renunciation and inner perfection (paramātman), manifests across Andhra’s regions as temples, caves, maṇḍapās, and sculptures that reflect ethical values and spiritual aspiration. Despite artistic monotony in some sculptures, they embody strength and spiritual grandeur. A) Key architectural elements include: i) Āyatana (temples), basadis, stūpas, dvārapaṭas, maṇastambhas, and makara-toraṇas. ii) Cave monasteries served as sites for meditation and sallekhanā. iii) Iconographic manuals include Dīparṇava, Rūpamandana, Vāstumañjarī, and Mānasāra, prescribing rules for Jina images: nudity, two arms, śrīvatsa, meditative posture, and symbolic elements like topknot, kalpa tree, and yakṣas. B) Early Jina image worship is traced to: i) Lohanipur (Mauryan polish), ii) Jīvantasvāmī-pratimā of Mahāvīra (worshipped during his life) and Mathura (Kushan-Gupta period), with symbolic lāñchanas, and caitya motifs such as svastika, dharmacakra, and pūrṇaghaṭa. C) Major Jaina Sites in Andhra (Chronologically and Regionally) 1) Munulaguṭṭa i) Earliest known natural cave settlement of Jainas in Andhra. ii) Features four rock-cut stone berths with pillow loft. iii) Satavahana coins discovered; dates to early Satavahana period. 2) Jilakaragudem i) Rock-cut caves with inscriptions from the Sālaṅkāyana period. ii) Known in ancient times as Mahānagaraparvata. iii) Inscriptions of Mahāmeghavāhana Kharavela’s descendant Sirisāda. iv) Later appropriated by Buddhists. 3) Konakondla i) Associated with philosopher Kundakunda (1st C.E.). ii) Features a spacious natural cave used for meditation. iii) Hill known as Rasa-Siddhulaguṭṭa. 4) Vaddamanu i) Name derived from Vardhamāna (Mahāvīra). ii) Excavations reveal brick and wheel-based stūpas. iii) Dates from 2nd B.C.E. to 6th C.E. iv) Earlier than Kankali Tila at Mathura. 5) Bodhan i) Linked with Bahubali; capital of ancient Asmaka. ii) Rich in Jaina inscriptions and sculptures. iii) Present-day Deval Mosque originally a Jaina temple. 6) Rāmatīrtham i) Identified with ancient Rāmagiri. ii) Site of physician Ugraditya (author of Kalyāṇakāra). iii) Inscriptions mention Trikālaya Siddhāntadeva. iv) Strong Rāṣṭrakūṭa and Cālukya architectural influence. 7) Dānāvulapāḍu (formerly Kurumarri) i) Flourished in 9th–10th C.E. ii) Noted for sallekhanā rituals. iii) Excavations: two temples, four nisadhi stones, caumukha, Tīrthaṅkara pedestal, images of Pārśva and Padmāvatī. iv) Remarkable sarvatobhadrika sculpture and veena carving. 8) Kollipāka (Kulpak) i) Major Jaina centre under Rāṣṭrakūṭas and Cālukyas. ii) Ambaratilaka temple built by Somesvara III; destroyed during Cola invasions. iii) Contains sculptures of Ādinātha, Padmāvatī, and a monolithic maṇastambha. 9) Hanumakonda i) Jain presence since 9th C.E. (Rāṣṭrakūṭa period). ii) Kadalālaya Basadi built by Mailama (minister's wife); replaced by Padmakshi temple. iii) Parśva images (seated and standing) survive. 10) Vemulavāda i) Capital of Vemulavāda Cālukyas (8th–12th C.E.). ii) Patrons: poets Pampa, Jinavallabha, scholar Somadevasūri. iii) Temple to Parśva (now lost) commissioned by Baddena. iv) Noted for cauvīsa Jinas and slender Gommata images. 11) Chippagiri i) Jain temple built by Kalacuri king Bijjala (1162–1167 C.E.). ii) Architectural features: stepped pyramidal śikhara, four-faceted amalaka, gajalakṣmī and Jina carvings. 12) Gollathagudi i) Temple excavated at 3.5 m depth. ii) Contains ardhamaṇṭapa, mukha-maṇṭapa, four shrines, and makara toraṇas. iii) Nearby brick temple resembles Gupta-style Bhitargaon. 13) Kulcharam i) Hosts a colossal seated image of Parśvanātha. ii) Installed by Tailapa II in the 10th century C.E. 14) Singavaramgattu (Mehaboobnagar District) i) Site of 30 ft wide, 18 ft high fortifications. ii) Nine-foot standing image of Parśva under triple umbrellas. iii) Traces of temple; worship continues in Vaisākha. iv) Belongs to the Kakatiya period (12th–13th C.E.). D) Literary & Epigraphic Highlights i) Jain poets like Malliyarechana (Telugu Kavijanasraya) flourished at Vemulavada in the 10th century. ii) Jinavallabha assisted his brother Pampa, the father of Kannada literature. iii) A 1034 C.E. inscription at Saidapuram praises Aggalayya as a surgeon (vaidyaratnākara).\