Jaina Sculptures from Bhavanipur, Hatuyara and Golamara

Summary

Atul Chandra Bhowmick catalogues a group of Jaina sculptures from three villages near Purulia town—Bhavanipur, Hatuyara and Golamara—and analyses their iconography. Bhavanipur yields a chlorite‑stone image of Rsabhanatha standing in kāyotsarga on a padmāsana over a pañcaratha pedestal. The stele is filled with miniature Tirthankaras in rows and flying vidyādharas and is crowned by a triple parasol; Bhowmick dates it to the 10th century. At Hatuyara he examines a damaged image of Suparsvanatha identifiable by the five‑hooded snake canopy. The sculpture is flanked by caurī‑bearers and carved with the planetary deities Surya, Candra, Budha, Sukra and Rahu on either side; its crudeness suggests an 8th‑century date. From Golamara come several pieces: a small Vasupujya with jata‑mukuṭa framed by a stele carved with floral motifs and attendant Tirthankaras, a headless Mahavira standing in kāyotsarga on a lotus seat with sensuous caurī‑bearers, and a unique dvithirthika stele depicting Mahavira and an unidentified second Tirthankara under a Sala tree, accompanied by donors and lions. Bhowmick notes that the Golamara sculptures are carved crudely and lack delicate modeling, indicating provincial workshops. He also remarks that the villagers now worship these images as Hindu deities during local festivals, reflecting the Hinduisation of Jaina icons. The article includes photographs of the five sculptures. Bhowmick concludes by thanking officials who assisted with photography and by providing a bibliography of comparative studies.