- Anai Jambad (Paresnath), Purulia – an important centre of West Bengal’s Jain Heritage.
- Flourishing Purulia Jain Heritage site dating to 10th–13th century CE.
- Home to the iconic Tirthankar Parshwanath with Choubis sculpture.
- Rare chlorite stone Jain images preserved in the modern Digambar temple.
- A significant addition to India’s historic Jain Heritage Centres.
- Preserving faith, art, and history across centuries.
– Article & Photos: Nitin H P, Bengaluru
Location and Historical Identity
Anai Jambad, also known as Paresnath, is a remarkable yet lesser-known centre of West Bengal Jain Heritage, located in the Purulia district, about 21 km from Purulia town. Situated near the Kangswati Dam on the northern bank of the Kumari River, Anai Jambad occupies an important place within the wider narrative of Purulia Jain Heritage and historic Jain Heritage Centres of eastern India. The site is especially renowned for its sculptural remains of Tirthankar Parshwanath with Choubis, making it a significant landmark in the Jain cultural landscape of West Bengal.
Historical Identity and Sacred Geography
Historically, Anai Jambad has been referred to as Mahadeva-Beda or Paresnatha Mahadeva-Bela, indicating a layered religious history. Archaeological discoveries in and around the village clearly establish Anai Jambad as an important Jain settlement during ancient and early medieval times. The presence of ancient mounds and scattered antiquities suggests that this site once flourished as a major Jain religious and artistic centre, contributing significantly to West Bengal Jain Heritage.
Jain Antiquities and Sculptural Evidence
Numerous Jain sculptures recovered from Anai Jambad testify to the strength of Purulia Jain Heritage in the medieval period. These antiquities include images of Tirthankaras such as Chandraprabha, Rishabhadeva (Adinatha), Vasupujya, Padmaprabhu, Neminatha, Mahavira, and multiple representations of Parshwanath. Most of the images are carved in the canonical kayotsarga posture, complete with lanchanas and attendant deities, reflecting mature Jain iconographic traditions seen across prominent Jain Heritage Centres of India.
Tirthankar Parshwanath with Choubis
Among the most outstanding sculptures at Anai Jambad is the imposing image of Tirthankar Parshwanath with Choubis. Carved in chlorite stone, the Tirthankara stands on a viśvapadma pedestal beneath the protective canopy of a seven-hooded serpent, flanked by the twenty-four Tirthankaras. The sculpture combines bold execution with refined detailing and stands as a masterwork of Purulia Jain Heritage, highlighting the artistic excellence of Jain craftsmen in medieval West Bengal.
Modern Temple and Conservation
To preserve this invaluable legacy of West Bengal Jain Heritage, a modern Parshwanath Digambar Jain Temple has been established at Anai Jambad by the Bharatavarshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha (Tirthasamrakshini). The temple now functions as both a place of worship and a living repository of Jain antiquities, reinforcing the importance of Anai Jambad among India’s historic Jain Heritage Centres.
Cultural Significance Today Today, Anai Jambad stands as a vital symbol of Purulia Jain Heritage, reflecting the rise, transformation, and continuity of Jain religious traditions in eastern India. As part of the broader network of Jain Heritage Centres, the Parshwanath Digambar Jain Temple continues to preserve and showcase the enduring legacy of West Bengal Jain Heritage for scholars, devotees, and heritage enthusiasts alike.
ಪಾರ್ಶ್ವನಾಥ ದಿಗಂಬರ ಜಿನಾಲಯ, ಅನೈ ಜಾಂಬಾದ್ (ಪಾರಸ್ನಾಥ್), ಪುರುಲಿಯಾ, ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಬಂಗಾಳ
- ಅನೈ ಜಾಂಬಾದ್ (ಪಾರಸ್ನಾಥ್), ಪುರುಲಿಯಾ – ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಬಂಗಾಳದ ಜೈನ ಪರಂಪರೆಯ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಕೇಂದ್ರ.
- ಕ್ರಿ.ಶ. ೧೦ರಿಂದ ೧೩ನೇ ಶತಮಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇರಿದ ಪುರುಲಿಯಾದ ಶ್ರೀಮಂತ ಜೈನ ಪರಂಪರೆಯ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ತಾಣ.
- ಚವ್ವೀಸ ತೀರ್ಥಂಕರರೊಂದಿಗಿರುವ ಪಾರ್ಶ್ವನಾಥ ತೀರ್ಥಂಕರರ ಶಿಲ್ಪವಿರುವ ಸ್ಥಳ.
- ಹೊಸದಾಗಿ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಲಾದ ದಿಗಂಬರ ಜೈನ ದೇವಾಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿರುವ ಅಪರೂಪದ ಕ್ಲೋರೈಟ್ ಕಲ್ಲಿನ ಜೈನ ವಿಗ್ರಹಗಳು.
- ಭಾರತದ ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಜೈನ ಪರಂಪರೆ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳ ಮಹತ್ವದ ಸ್ಥಳ.
- ಶತಮಾನಗಳಿಂದ ಧರ್ಮ, ಕಲೆ ಮತ್ತು ಇತಿಹಾಸವನ್ನು ಸಂರಕ್ಷಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಪವಿತ್ರ ಸ್ಥಳ.