The Pataini temple or Pataini devi temple is a 5th century Jain temple constructed during the reign of the Gupta Empire and located near the town of Unchehara in Madhya Pradesh, India.

Pataini temple
Pataini devi temple
Pataini devi temple
Religion
AffiliationJainism
DeityPataini Devi
Location
LocationUnchehara, Satna district, Madhya Pradesh
Geographic coordinates24°26′18.1″N 80°46′32″E / 24.438361°N 80.77556°E / 24.438361; 80.77556
Architecture
StyleGupta architecture
Date established5th century

Location

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The Pataini temple is located on Satna-Unchehara riad, 12.87 kilometres (8.00 mi) north of Unchehara.[1][2]

History

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Discovered by Alexander Cunningham in 1873-74,[2] the Pataini temple dates back to the Gupta Empire. The temple houses a 10th or 11th century inscription detailing the name of the residing deities.[3] The temple is wedged out 0.3 metres (1 ft 0 in) from the back wall corner, indicating an attempt was made to pull down the temple, which was possibly interrupted by villagers.[4]

Architecture

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Plan of Pataini temple

The temple is a small 2.08 by 1.98 metres (6 ft 10 in by 6 ft 6 in) structure notable for its massive Gupta style, single flat slab, 2.34 by 2.24 metres (7 ft 8 in by 7 ft 4 in) roof.[note 1][6][1][5][3][7] The temple entrance features an ornate door frame and two mouldings, another common feature of Gupta architecture.[8]

The temple enshrines a 1.07 metres (3 ft 6 in) idol of Jain goddess Devi flanked by two male figures inside a small mandapa.[9][2] The idol originially had four arms and is now unrecognizable.[2]


The idol is surrounded by small figures - 5 above, 7 to the right and left, and 4 below. Above these figures, carvings of Tirthankara in lotus position, with the image of Neminatha seated on a pedestal with the shankha, are displayed.

 
Temple entrance with images of Jain and Hindu deities

According to the inscription, the figures are named as follows:[1][10]

S. No. Above Left Right
1 Bahurupini Aparajita Jaya
2 Chamunda Mahamunusi Anantamati
3 Padmavati Anantamati Vairata
4 Vijaya Gandhari Gauri
5 Saraswati Mansai Kali
6 Jwalamalini Mahakali
7 Manuji Vrijamsakala

The outer doorway shows three figures, Rishabhanatha, Suparshvanatha, and Parshvanatha. Carvings of Shiva and Parvati are shown underneath the images of Trithankara. The bottom of the door contains images of Yamuna, Ganga, and their attendants.[2]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Gupta period temple with flat roof design includes temples in Tigawa, and Eran.[5]

References

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Citation

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  1. ^ a b c Cunningham 1879, p. 31.
  2. ^ a b c d e Archaeological Survey of India 1921, p. 108.
  3. ^ a b "General view of the Jain Temple of Pataini Devi, Pithaora". British Library. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  4. ^ Cunningham 1879, p. 33.
  5. ^ a b Datta & Beynon 2016, p. 49.
  6. ^ Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1881, p. 36.
  7. ^ Rawlinson 1881, p. 36.
  8. ^ Cunningham 1879, p. 32.
  9. ^ Beglar 1878, p. 28.
  10. ^ Archaeological Survey of India 1921, pp. 108–109.

Sources

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  Media related to Pataini temple at Wikimedia Commons