Danavulapadu Jain temple

Danavulapadu Jain temple, discovered in 1903,[1][2] was once an important Jain center and received royal patronage from Rashtrakuta dynasty.[3][4] According to inscriptions on Nishidhi stone, the site was popular among Jain acharyas to perform Sallekhana.[5] A 13th century inscription found in neighbouring village mentions present of this temple.[6]

A chaumukha (four-faced) idol was installed in 8th century during reign of Rashtrakuta dynasty.[note 1][7][8] There is a one-line sanskrit inscription at the base of the statue with characters from the early Eastern Chalukyas period.[9] In 968 CE, Khottiga, Rashtrakuta empire, installed a panavatta for the Mahamastakabhisheka of Shantinatha.[10][11]

The temple plan features a mandapa, antarala, and garbhagriha. The adhishtana of the temple is decorated with fine carvings. There are carvings of Nāga, Nāginī, Hanuman and Ganesha on temple wall.[6]

The temple enshrines a 10th-century 12 feet (3.7 m) idol of a five-hooded serpent Parshvanatha seated on a lotus shaped pedestal with carvings scroll ornaments and sculptures of elephants and crocodiles as vahanas. The hands, and portion nelow the knee is broken.[12][13] There is an image of yakshi in lotus position seated on a lion. The second shrine is heavily ornate structure ensuring an idol of Tirthankara.[14] Several serpent deities idols have been placed besides the well near the temple complex.[15][16] The temple also houses an idol of Padmavati.[17]

• 
  Parshvanatha idol
• 
  Image of Ganesha
• 
  Idols of serpent near the temple

The temple complex is protected by Archaeological Survey of India.[6] Various artefacts, inscriptions and sculptures discovered at the site are now placed inside Government Museum, Chennai.[4][15]

• Ramateertham
• Ambapuram cave temple

Media related to Danavulapadu Jain temple at Wikimedia Commons