| Pataini temple | |
|---|---|
 Pataini devi temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Jainism |
| Deity | Pataini Devi |
| Location | |
| Location | Unchehara, Satna district, Madhya Pradesh |
| Geographic coordinates | 24°26′18.1″N 80°46′32″E / 24.438361°N 80.77556°E |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Gupta architecture |
| Date established | 5th century |
Pataini temple or Pataini devi temple is a 5th century Jain temple located near Unchehara town in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The temple was constructed during the reign of Gupta Empire.
The temple is located on a lofty hill 12.87 kilometres (8.00 mi) North of Unchehara on Satna-Unchehara road in the state of Madhya Pradesh.[1][2]
This temple, discovered by Alexander Cunningham in 1873-74,[2] is noted to date back to Gupta Empire. The temple houses a 10th—11th century inscription that details the name of residing deities.[3][1] The temple is wedged out by 0.3 metres (1 ft 0 in) from the back wall corner indicating an attempt was made to pull down the temple but was possibly interrupted by villagers.[4]
The temple is a small 2.08 by 1.98 metres (6 ft 10 in by 6 ft 6 in) structure notable for its massive Gupta style single flat slab 2.34 by 2.24 metres (7 ft 8 in by 7 ft 4 in) roof.[note 1][6][1][5][3][7] The temple enshrines a 1.07 metres (3 ft 6 in) idol of Jain Goddess Pataini Devi flanked by two male figures inside a small mandapa.[8][2] The idol originally had 4 arms but are now damaged and thus idol is not recoginsable.[9]
The temple entrance has an ornate door frame and features two remarkable mouldings which is a common feature of Gupta architecture.[10]
The mandapa of the temple enshrines an idol of Jain Goddess Pataini Devi flanked by two male figures.[8] The idol is surrounded by small figures, 5 above, 7 to the right and left, and 4 below the idol.[1] Above these figures are carvings of Tirthankaras in lotus position with image of Neminatha seated on a pedestal with symbol Shankha (conch).[2]
According to a 10th—11th century inscription, the figures are named as follows:[1][11]
| S. No. | Above | Left | Right |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bahurupini | Aparajita | Jaya |
| 2 | Chamunda | Mahamunusi | Anantamati |
| 3 | Padmavati | Anantamati | Vairata |
| 4 | Vijaya | Gandhari | Gauri |
| 5 | Saraswati | Mansai | Kali |
| 6 | Jwalamalini | Mahakali | |
| 7 | Manuji | Vrijamsakala |
The doorway outside has three figures, in the middle is an image of Rishabhanatha seated under a canopy with a bull pedestal. On the left and right sides, there is a five-headed snake hood image of Suparshvanatha and a seven-headed snake hood image of Parshvanatha. The presiding idol of Pataini Devi was identified Jain Goddess based on these three images by Alexander Cunningham.[3] There are carvings of Shiva and Parvati below the images of Tirthankara. The bottom of the door jabs bears images of Goddess Yamuna and Ganga with attendants.[2]
