Sculptures of Jain Tirthankaras found near Jangaon

​Jangaon: The sculptures of Jain Tirthankaras were found in an abandoned state on a hillock near Jangaon town, indicating pre-historic presence of practice of Jainism in Jangaon district.

The hillock, called as ‘Bommala Gutta and Siddhula Gutta’ in local parlance, is situated at Siddenki village, which is three kilometres away from famous Kolanpaka Jain Temple and 10 kilometres from Jangaon. The sculptures are engraved on the rocky surface of the hillock.

A teacher and history enthusiast, R Ratnakar Reddy, who found the sculptures, suggested that they represent the first Tirthankara Rishabhanatha of Vedic period, 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanatha and 24th Tirthankara of 599-527 BC.

In Jainism, a Tirthankara is omniscient teaching god, who preaches the dharma and the word Tirthankara signifies the founder of a Tirtha. There is a water pond inside the rock hillock.

A few inscriptions are also found on the hillock. “The term Siddhi denotes enlightenment. The presence of Siddhis, who engaged in achieving spiritual enlightenment, may have led to the village being called as Siddenki.

The name Siddhula Gutta is also derived in the similar manner,” Ratnakar Reddy told The Hans India. On the outskirts of Siddenki and Ellamla villages, there is a Jain Yaksha Temple, which is in dilapidated following excavation by treasure hunters.

According to the local lore, the Jain pilgrims used to visit Kolanpaka via Siddenki and Ellamla villages, he explained. There are several burial chambers belonging to megalithic age, he noted.

The archaeological department should look into the history of the sculptures and promote their presence in the village among the Jain community members and common public, so that they could visit the place.

Efforts should also be made to improve road connectivity to the village, Ratnakar Reddy said. He, with the help of local youth Mahesh, Sridhar and Narsimha Reddy, has applied ‘Chandanam’ to the sculptures.