Pakbirra—A Lost Jaina Centre of Purulia

Summary

Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay’s article describes Pakbirra, a cluster of seven villages in Purulia, West Bengal, that once formed a major Jaina centre but are now largely in ruins. The site, also known as Bhairava Than, lies about thirty miles south‑east of Purulia and is accessible via the Purulia–Puncha bus route. Archaeologists J.D. Beglar and David McCutchion recorded that twenty‑one temples stood here, of which thirteen were built of stone and eight of brick; today only three standing temples remain and most are badly damaged. Mukhopadhyay notes that the temples are tri‑ratha in plan with niches at the base of the central raha and are similar to the stone temple at Budhpur and the temples at Telkupi, though their entrances are unusually narrow. The garbhagriha measures about five feet square, and the structures once had amalakas and kalasas ornamented with lotus petals and mango leaves, indicating they belonged to the Nagara architectural tradition. Many images and fragments have been collected and stored in a shed: the most striking is a colossal seven‑and‑a‑half‑foot high black stone Tirthankara in kayotsarga posture, which Beglar identified as Padmaprabha but later scholars associate with Rsabhanatha. Mukhopadhyay examines several sculptural panels depicting a divine couple with a child, possibly comparable to the Buddhist Jambala and Hariti or the parents of the Tirthankaras, as well as figures of Ambika, Parsvanatha and Santinatha. He discusses miniature votive caityas carved with standing Tirthankaras and notes rare motifs such as ducks or geese holding garlands. The article laments the neglect of Pakbirra: villagers repurpose bricks and stones for household use, and neither local authorities nor the state government have acted to preserve the site. Mukhopadhyay dates the ruins to the 9th–10th century A.D. and argues that Pakbirra once hosted a thriving Jaina community whose rich artistic heritage is now endangered. He urges archaeological authorities and the Jain community to protect and study the remains before further decay occurs.