Bobi Chetty Nishidhi Pillar

Height 85 cm., Breadth 26 cm.,
Danavulappadu, Cuddappah District, Andhra Pradesh.
Circa 14th Century AD.

    This Nishidhi pillar has two sculptured panels with an epitaph inscription. The upper panel is designed with a frame work of Simha mukha (lion face) in an arched niche. In this panel, Tirthankara, Mahavira is depicted in the seated meditation (Dhyana-Padmasana) pose. Bha Mandala (Halo) with lotus petal design is shown behind his head. His face is in defaced condition. But this does not steal away the elegance of the total composition. Two Chamaras (fly-whisks) one on each of his sides and a carved Mukkudai (Triple umbrella) are depicted over his head. In the median band, which separates the upper and lower panels is a lion, the identification mark of Mahavira. It is carved in profile.

     The lower panel is designed with the framework of a nearly square Mandapa (hall with pillars). Both the Mandapas have ornate carved pillars. In the centre of the Mandapa, the worshipper is seated in Padmasana (lotus pose) with folded hands in Anjali mudra (prayer pose). The richness of his ornaments and lower garment conveys his opulent background. The Kanarese epitaph in the lower part of the pillar is in memory of Bobi Chetty, the son of Ponni Chetty of Penukonda. Chettys are a merchant caste.

Honni Chetty Nishidhi Pillar

Height 78 cm., Breadth 42.5 cm.
Danavulappadu, Cuddappah District, Andhra Pradesh. Circa 14th Century AD.

     This Nishidhi pillar has two sculptured panels and an inscription in old Kanarese. Mahavira in seated Padmasana (lotus) pose is depicted with Mukkudai (triple umbrella) a symbol of his authority over three worlds, Bha Mandala (halo) and Chamaras (fly whisks). Below him in the central band between the upper and lower panels, his mark of identification viz. the lion is carved in profile. Below it, in a rectangular panel are two seated figures of worshippers in Padmasana with their hands in Anjali hasta (hands folded in prayer). The Kanarese inscription below this panel, is an epitaph and it states that the male figure in the panel is Honni Chetty son of Sozhi Chetty of Penukonda and the female figure is his queen (i.e wife) Virayi.

Pillar with Mahavira and Acharyas

Height 102 cm.,  Breadth 34 cm.
Danavulappadu, Cuddappah District, Andhra Pradesh.
Circa 14th Century AD.

     This is an unfinished pillar with two panels. In the upper panel Mahavira is depicted flanked by Chamara (fly-whisk) bearers one on each side. Mahavira is seated on a lion pedestal in Padmasana Dhyana (meditative lotus) pose. The space for Mukkudai (triple parasol) marked for carving has not been fully carved out. There is no clear-cut demarcation between the upper and lower panels. In the median band, which looks like a pedestal, three lions are shown.

     In the lower panel two worshippers are depicted in seated pose with their hands in Padmasana in Anjali mudra (prayer pose). The inscription on the back is so damaged as to make it unreadable. But the interesting feature in this pillar is that both the worshippers are shown with a cleaning brush made of peacock feathers which is the hallmark of their sect in Jainism.

Pillar with Mahavira and Kneeling Monk

Height 90 cm., Breadth 41.5 cm.
Danavulappadu, Cuddappah District, Andhra Pradesh.
Circa 14th Century AD.

    This pillar has two panels. In the upper panel is a seated Tirthankara in Padmasana Dhyana pose on a pedestal. Chamara bearers are shown one on each side. Mukkudai (triple umbrella) is over the head of the Tirthankara. A backrest in the shape of an arch mounted on a rectangular frame with a cylindrical cushion for resting the back are shown. Three lions are shown, one in each square on the median band. They help us to identify the Tirthankara in the above panel as Mahavira.

     In the lower panel is shown a monk in a peculiar kneeling pose with folded hands in Anjali mudra (prayer pose). But the hands up to the left elbow are broken and missing. The earlobes of both the figures are peculiarly elongated. This is a feature found in the depictions of the Buddha in Mahayana Buddhism. It could be considered as symbol of wisdom. A bowl used to collect offerings given by the people hangs from the hip. Due to this particular aspect of the sculpture, we identify this person as a Sadhu (ascetic), who is permitted to receive alms.