Ayagapata, excavated from Kankali Tila, circa 25-50 CE

Ayagapata (Hindi:अयागपट्ट) or Ayagapatta is a type of votive slab associated with worship in Jainism.

Background

Numerous such stone tablets discovered during excavations at ancient Jain sites like Kankali Tila near Mathura in India. Some of them date back to 1st century C.E. These slabs are decorated with objects and designs central to Jain worship such as the stupa, dharmacakra and triratna.[1]

A large number of ayagapata (tablet of homage), votive tablets for offerings and the worship of tirthankara, were found at Mathura.[2][3]

Description

These stone tablets bear a resemblance to the earlier Shilapatas - stone tablets that were placed under trees to worship Yakshas. However, this was done by indigenous folk communities before Jainism originated suggesting that both have commonalities in rituals.[1] A scholar on Jain art wrote about an Ayagapata discovered around Kankali Tila, "The technical name of such a tablet was Ayagapata meaning homage panel."[4] Kankali Tila tablet of Sodasa and Parsvanatha ayagapata are one of the important Ayagapata. Tablet of Sodasa is an adoration to Mahavira dating back to c. 42 CE and Parsvanatha ayagapata is an adoration to Parsvanatha dating back to c. 15 CE.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ayagapata.

References

Citation

  1. 1 2 "Ayagapata". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  2. ↑ Jain & Fischer 1978, pp. 9–10.
  3. ↑ Vyas 1995, p. 16.
  4. ↑ "An ayagapata or Jain homage tablet, with small figure of a tirthankara in the centre and inscription below, from Mathura". British Library. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  5. ↑ Quintanilla 2000, p. 103.
  6. ↑ Quintanilla 2000, p. 106.

Sources

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