Jain statue found in Hanamkonda
A Jain statue belonging to the 9th Century has been discovered inside a cave on the Aggalaiah Gutta hillock in Hanamkonda. The hillock is already famous in the city for the 35-foot carving of a Digambar Jain Tirthankara, and `1.3 crore has been allotted for setting up a ‘Jaina vanam’ under the HRIDAY scheme and the work has also begun.
The statue was discovered on the north-west side of the hillock overlooking Rajput Street. It had remained hidden inside a cave obscured by bushes. Only a very few locals knew about the statue.
Shambhu Dayal Singh Thakur, a local resident, took this correspondent to see the statue. It is of a Digambar Jain Thirthankar four-and-a-half feet tall with several carvings on its sides and bottom. Elephants and followers called ‘Paricharikalu’ can be seen on either side. The base of the statue comprised the head of a human being with a lion on either side.
Noted historian, author and epigraphist, Sriramoju Haragopal said the statue is of the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, Mahavir.
According to Mr Haragopal, the presence of the Jain carvings and caves suggests that the place was once a ‘Jaina aramam’ or a place of meditation. “It can be concluded from the carvings seen on the statue that it is indeed Mahavir. However, more research is required to know more about the statue. The statue has evidently lost its original colour over the years. A ‘Thristhala chakram’ explain can be seen above the head of the statue. The symbol of Mahavir, that a lion, can be found below. Among the Jain statues found across Telangana, those of Shanthinatha, Prashvanatha, Mahavira and Rishabhanatha are found in more numbers,” he said.
Shambhu Dayal Singh Thakur has appealed to the district administration to take notice of the statue and see to it that proper steps are taken to include it as part of the Jain Vanam under construction on the hillock.