Telangana: Rare 9th-century Parshvanatha sculpture discovered in Adilabad

Researchers have identified a rare 9th-century Parshvanatha sculpture among broken Jain sculptures found in Chand village of Adilabad district. Experts describe the artifact as the first of its kind discovered in Telangana, highlighting its exceptional artistic and archaeological significance.

Hyderabad: Numerous broken sculptures have been found in a dilapidated condition in Chand village of Adilabad district. Among them, a rare and artistically unique Parshvanatha sculpture with special iconographic features has been identified by Prithviraj Roddawar, a research member of the Kotha Telangana Charitrabrundam, along with his associates Sai Raj Kamble and Katturi Subhash.

The sculpture is headless, with the figure seated in the ardha-padmasana (half-lotus) and a serpent coiled around its back. On either side of the main figure are two Tirthankaras in the kayotsarga posture, and on the pedestal, a Dharmachakra is carved between two lions.

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Kotha Telangana Charitrabrundam Convener, Sriramoju Haragopal, stated that this Parshvanatha sculpture belongs to the 9th century and compared it with similar Parshvanatha sculptures found in Rajgir, Bihar, and in Erandol, East Khandesh, Maharashtra.

Dr Emani Siva Nagireddy, a renowned sculptor and CEO of Pleach India Foundation, said such a sculpture has never been found anywhere in Telangana before and that it is extremely rare and unique.

Another sculpture found in Chand shows an elephant performing abhisheka (bathing) on the upper left side, with three Jain Tirthankaras in two rows below it.