A rare and ancient stone statue of Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, has been unearthed by a group of archaeology students and professors in Tamil Nadu.
Location and Age
- Location: Manavarayanendal near Thiruchuli in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu.
- Estimated Age: Approximately 1000 years old.
Discovery Team
- Members: S Rajapandi, assistant professor of history, SBK College, Aruppukkottai, and M Sarath Ram, a student in the Tamil Nadu state archaeological department.
Discovery Details
- Location Found: The statue was half-buried in the soil in a garden belonging to a farmer named Ilayaraja.
- Material and Carving: Made of granite, intricately carved with fine details.
- Depiction: Mahavir depicted sitting on a throne with makara-toranas (arches with mythical creatures) on both sides, accompanied by sculptures of yakshas (attendant deities).
- Additional Features: Triple umbrella above his head with creepers carved on it, a halo called prabhavali with a tiara design representing chandraditya, nityavinoda, and kala-bhasana.
Significance of the Statue
The statue is a significant discovery as it reveals the traces of Jainism in the region, which has been largely overshadowed by the dominant Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
Cultural and Historical Context
- Time Period: Believed to belong to the 11th century AD, during the Chola period.
- Archaeological Assumptions: Based on the style and technique of the sculpture.
Preservation Efforts
- Reporting: Archaeologists reported their findings to the Department of Archaeology.
- Recommendation: Requested preservation and protection of the statue, suggesting placement in a government museum for public display and research.
Heritage and Diversity
The statue is also a testimony to the rich and diverse heritage of Tamil Nadu, showcasing the tolerance and harmony among different faiths and communities in the past.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Where was the rare Mahavir statue discovered?
- A) Manavarayanendal, Kerala
- B) Thiruchuli, Karnataka
- C) Manavarayanendal, Tamil Nadu
- D) Thiruchuli, Tamil Nadu
- Answer: C) Manavarayanendal, Tamil Nadu
- Who noticed the statue half-buried in the soil?
- A) Farmer named Ilayaraja
- B) S Rajapandi
- C) M Sarath Ram
- D) Both B and C
- Answer: D) Both B and C
- What is the estimated age of the Mahavir statue?
- A) 500 years old
- B) 1000 years old
- C) 2000 years old
- D) 3000 years old
- Answer: B) 1000 years old
- What material is the Mahavir statue made of?
- A) Marble
- B) Granite
- C) Sandstone
- D) Limestone
- Answer: B) Granite
- What is suggested for the preservation of the Mahavir statue?
- A) Keeping it in a private collection
- B) Selling it to a foreign museum
- C) Placing it in a government museum for public display and research
- D) Burying it again for future archaeologists
- Answer: C) Placing it in a government museum for public display and research