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Images of Mahavira with Jain Deities
Images of Mahavira with Jain deities, especially, Yaksa Yaksi figurines have been carved in the Khajuraho temples. Here the Yakshas and the Yakshis are represented with two arms and four arms.

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Images of Mahavira with Jain DeitiesThe images of Lord Mahavira in Khajuraho Temples have been carved with Yaksha Yakshi Figures. The images have been engraved beautifully and look very appealing. Here the Yakshi of Mahavira has been represented in two varieties, i.e. two armed and four armed. The first image of the temples has been carved on the southern facade of the garbhagriha of the Parshvanatha Temple. It is regarded as the oldest image at Khajuraho. The vahana of Lord Mahavira, lion, is seen peeping out from the throne. The covering cloth here is missing. The images of the two armed Yaksha and Yakshi are seated in lalitasana. The two armed Yaksha and Yakshi are found here. They are seen in lalitasana. The Yaksha is seen holding a fruit in each of his two hands. The Yakshi carries a fruit in the left hand while the right one is held in the abhaya mudra. Beside the flywhisk bearers there stand two Jinas.

The second image of Lord Mahavira has been well preserved in the Open Air Museum, Khajuraho. The image of a lion has been carved on the right side of the dharmacakra. Here also the images of Yaksha and Yakshi can be seen. The Yakshi is two armed and is seated in lalita pose. With her right hand she shows the abhaya mudra and with her left hand she bears an indistinct object. The figure of the Yaksa is hidden under the plaster.

The third image of Mahavira is in the Modern Temple No.2. An inscription of Vikram Samvat Era 1149 is visible here. Here the cognizance of Mahavira, lion is carved in front of the cushion. A beautiful small shrine is also carved below the cushion of Mahavira. The image of a four armed female goddess identified as Santidevi or Adisakti can be seen carved. She is seen in a standing pose showing narada mudra, a lotus, a manuscript, and a water vessel. The goddess is believed to shoulder the responsibility of improving the origination of the Jaina Sangha. At each top corner of the back slab there appears a standing Jina. The four armed Yaksha and Yakshi are seated in lalita pose. The Yaksha is seen holding a purse, a sula, a lotus and a staff. An image of a lion is also visible here. The Yakshi holds a fruit, a disc, a lotus and a conch. The image of a lion is also carved below her feet.

The fourth image of Lord Mahavira can be seen in the niche of the exterior back wall of the Modern Temple No.21. The vahana of the Lord, lion is seen peeping out above the dharmachakra. The hair of Mahavira is adorned with a high headdress that shows five rising rows of curls. Four small standing images of the Jinas can be seen carved near the camaradhara figures. The image of the Yakshi here is four armed and is seen riding a lion. She is seated in lalitasana and bears a varada mudra, a sword, a disc and a fruit in her hands. The carved image of Yaksha here stands in tribhanga and has two arms. He is seen carrying a shakti in his right hand while with his the left hanging hand he touches the horn of his mount, ram that stands nearby.

z The fifth image of the Lord has been kept in Open Air Museum in Khajuraho. The image is in damaged condition. An image of a lion is seen peeping out below the hanging covering cloth of the throne. Five beautiful Jina figures are carved at each edge of the image. On the right side above these Jina figures there again appear two seated Jinas. The images of the Yaksha and Yakshi here are four armed. They are seated in a lalita pose. The Yaksha carved on the left side bears a mace, an indistinct object, a lotus and a purse. His vahana, lion stands on his left. The Yakshi on the right side rides a lion and holds in her hands a ring i.e. disc, a lotus and a conch shell.

The sixth image is sheltered in the Archaeological Museum in Khajuraho. A small image of the vahana of the Lord i.e. the lion is seen standing in front. It has been carved beneath the wheel. The images of Yakshas and Yakshis here are two armed. They are seated in lalita pose. The Yaksa holds a purse in his left hand while the right hand is damaged. The Yakshi bears a lotus in her left hand while with the right hand she shows the abhaya mudra. A two armed female figure can be seen standing on either edge above the Yaksa Yaksi figures. She is seen holding a long stalked lotus in the inner hand while the outer hand is rested on thigh. Apart from this six attractive Jina figures are seen carved on either sides of the Lord. At left top corner of the image is carved a small seated Jina.


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