Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Mumbai houses rare Jain artifacts spanning 2,000 years. Highlights include ancient idols of Parshwanath and Bahubali, significant bronze and stone sculptures, and illustrated Jain manuscripts, offering valuable insights into Jain iconography and history. The museum’s collection is essential for anyone interested in Jainism and its rich cultural heritage.
– Article, Concept, Video Shooting, Editing Script & Voice Over: Nitin H P
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Mumbai, formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum, houses over 70,000 artifacts, including some rare exhibits. It showcases artifacts from various regions, religions, and cultures of India. Among its collections, there are several exhibits related to Jainism, spanning over 2,000 years.
One of the oldest artifacts is a metal idol of Parshwanath Tirthankar from the Mauryan Era (1st century BCE). This significant idol provides insight into Jaina iconography from that period. Another notable piece is a metal idol of a Tirthankar in Kayotsarga posture.
The museum also features an impressive bronze idol of Tirthankar Adinath and the 24 Tirthankaras from Chopda, Khandesh District, Maharashtra, dating back to the 8th century CE. Another remarkable bronze idol is that of Lord Bahubali, crafted in the Chalukya style of the 9th century CE, with hair flowing down to his shoulders along with tendrils. This is one of the oldest Bahubali statues in the world.
From Karnataka, there are granite stone idols of Dharanendra Yaksha and Padmavati Yakshi from the 12th century CE. Additionally, life-sized idols of Jaina devotees from Gujarat, also from the 12th century CE, are noteworthy. An idol of Tirthankar Parshwanath in Kayotsarga posture with chowri bearers from the same century is also on display.
A Jaina Tirthankar in Padmasana posture, along with four other Tirthankar idols from Ankai Fort, Nasik, from the 11th century CE, features carvings of Chatratraya above its head and dancers. Two idols with three Tirthankaras in Kayotsarga posture from the 12th century CE are notable for their iconographic significance.
The museum houses an interesting temple grant inscription from Gerusoppe in Utttara Kannada District, Karnataka, dated to Saka 1485 – 1563 CE. This inscription, the only Jain one in the museum, pertains to the reign of Chennabhairadevi of the Saluva dynasty and records the construction of a Jaina shrine at Gerusoppe.
A folio from an illustrated manuscript of the Kalpasutra depicting the birth of Parshwanath, painted in opaque watercolor on paper, offers a glimpse into the life of Tirthankar Parshwanath. Another unique exhibit is a folio from an illustrated Jain manuscript of “Sangrahani Sutra” by Acharya Shrichandra, dated 1649 CE, which vividly describes Jain cosmology.
There is also a folio from an illustrated manuscript of “Chandraja no Ras” by Pandit Mohan Vijayji, attributed to the Gujarat-Mewar style (1750-1775 CE). This manuscript recounts the legend of King Chandraja, set in the era of Munisuvrata, the twentieth of the twenty-four Jain Tirthankaras.
Other notable exhibits include a 16th-century marble idol of Tirthankar Suparshwanath from Rajasthan and embroidery works depicting Samavasarana, Ashtamangala, and auspicious dreams of Tirthankar’s mother.
The Jain Idols & Artifacts exhibited at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya offer a comprehensive glimpse into Jainism and are worth visiting for both the general public and researchers interested in Jainism and its history.
Our Special Thanks to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai.