Seated Image of Mahavira The image of Lord Mahavira is seated on an ornate cushion. Here the left knee of the Lord and the pilasters that support the pedestal are damaged. A small figure of lion is carved beautifully beneath the dharmacakra. It is the flanked by two worshippers with folded hands. On the right side of the pedestal an image of a two armed yaksha, Sarvanubhuti has been carved holding a purse in his left arm. On the left side a two armed yaksi, Siddhayika bearing a lotus in the left arm can be seen. With her right hand she shows the abhaya mudra. The images of the Yaksha Yakshi are surmounted by a female figure. She is seen holding a lotus in the inner hand while the outer hand rests on the thigh. The hair of Lord Mahavira is dressed in schematic curls with a small knot. The halo behind the head comprises blossom circlet, rosette and lozenge shaped decoration arranged alternately and beaded band. Depending upon the style and architecture of the iconography the image may be dated to the 12th century A. D. Mahavira Images without the Yaksa Yaksi Figures There are three images of Lord Mahavira at Khajuraho that have been carved without the image of Yaksa Yaksi Figures. Two of these images have been carved in the left hand modern wall of the Santinatha Temple. This is the temple No.1. The image of Mahavira is seen sitting on a double petalled lotus placed on an ornate cushion. The image of a dharmachakra has been carved in the centre of the pedestal. A lion's head is also visible that is regarded as the vehicle of the Jina. On either side above the flywhisk bearers a seated Jina can be seen. Another Jina is also visible below the first one. The third image of Lord Mahavira is seen standing on a lotus pedestal in the kayotsarga mudra. The image is enshrined in the Modern Temple No. 31. An image of a lion, the Vahana of the Jina is also visible here. Apart from the head the forelegs cab also be seen. At the left top corner an image of a Jina is also carved. Two female figures have been carved on the left side one above the other. The three images of Lord Mahavira at Khajuraho have been magnificently carved and look very appealing. However, the covering cloth, an important feature of the Jina images at Khajuraho is missing here. On the basis of style and iconography, these images are thought to belong to the 11th century A. D. Mahavira Images with Yaksa Yaksi Figures There are in total six images of Lord Mahavira in Khajuraho. The figures of Yaksa Yaksi look very appealing. The first image of the Lord can be seen on the southern facade of the garbhagriha of the Parshvanatha Temple. It is the oldest images at Khajuraho. The second image has been well preserved in the Open Air Museum. The third image has been installed in the Modern Temple No.2. The fourth image is sheltered in a niche of the exterior back wall of the Modern Temple No.21 while the fifth one is installed in the Open Air Museum. The sixth and the final image can be seen in the Open Air Museum. The Yakshas and Yakshis here are either two armed or four armed. They are usually seen in lalitasana pose in abhaya mudra. |