News Excerpt:
Three 11th-century Jain sculptures were discovered at Varuna village in Mysuru district.
About the sculptures:
- One of the sculptures was damaged beyond recognition but the other two were in fairly good condition.
- One of the two idols or sculptures is that of a Jain Teerthankara, but it was difficult to ascertain the identity in the absence of symbols that may have been effaced or damaged.
- The entire belt comprising Varuna, Varakodu and Vajamangala had been thriving Jain centres.
Teerthankara:
- It is a saviour who has succeeded in crossing over life’s stream of rebirths and has made a path for others to follow.
- Mahavira (6th century BC) was the last Teerthankara to appear.
- In art, the Teerthankara is represented either standing stiffly in the pose known as kayotsarga (“dismissing the body”) or seated cross-legged on a lion throne in the posture of meditation, dhyanamudra.
- The images are often carved out of marble or other highly polished stone or are cast in metal.
Mysuru:
- It is situated below the Chamundi hills in the state of Karnataka.
- It was ruled by the Gangas of Talakad from the 4th to 10th century, by Cholas till the 2nd decade of the 12th century.
- An inscription in Mysuru by the Hoysalas dates back to the 11th and 12th century.
- After the Hoysalas came, the Vijayanagar Kings and the Mysuru Yadu dynasty came to power in 1399 A.D.
- They were the feudatories of the Vijayanagar Kings.
- It has around 11 Jain temples in all - 5 of them are Digambara temple and the rest are Swetambara temple.
