Jainism is a religion which does not believe in a specific god. There are no gods or spiritual beings that will help human beings. The three guiding principles of Jainism, the 'three jewels', are right belief, right knowledge, and right conduct. The supreme principle of Jainism is nonviolence (in words, actions and deeds).
In the Jain tradition, there have been 24 Tirthankars during the current descending cycle of time, Bhagwan Rishabhdev being the first and Bhagwan Mahavir the last (24th). The Tirthankar is a detached individual who is the ultimate altruist and benefactor of not only mankind but every living being. Thus, there is not one all-powerful supreme being that controls all.
I have compiled photographs of Jain Tirthankars which I have shot in Shravanabela Gola, Badami caves, Rock cut Jain collosi at Gwalior, Hampi, Chennai Govt Museum, Chennai, British museum, London, Victoria & Albert museum, London and Art Institute Chicago in this gallery!
I would like to thank Dr Pravesh Kanthed, Indore and @truejainology who helped me in putting together this gallery!
Shravanbela Gola
Badami Caves, Badami
Rockcut Jain Colossi
British Museum, London
Tirthankara 200-300 AD
Tirthankara seated in Padmasana – Dhayanamudra
Rishabhanatha 1st Tirthankara
ChandraPrabhu 8th Tirthankara
Tirthankara 19th ctry
Tirthankara 13th ctry
Seated Jaina bronze 1181 Circa
Seated Jaina bronze 1181 Circa
Padmavathi Jaina protective deity
Standing Jaina Munisuvrata
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Jina Rishabhanatha
Parsvanatha, 23rd tirthankara
Seated Chandraprabha, the 18th tirthankara
Jain altarpiece
The 18th Tirthankara, Chandraprabha.
Chennai government museum, Chennai
Seated Tirthankara -Dhyanamudra 9th ctry AD
Standing Parsavanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara 11th ctry
Shantinatha, Mysore Region, Karnataka. 10th
Shantinatha, standing on lotus base 10th ctry
Mahavira TN, 10th
Parsvanatha, AP, 10th ctry
Mahavira, 12th ctry
Mahavira, NA Dt, 10th ctry
Mahavira, TN, 10th ctry
Parasvanatha, AP, 10th ctry
Adinishidhi Pillar, AP, 14th ctry
Bobi Chetty Nishidhi Pillar, AP, 14th ctry.
Honni Chetty Nishidhi Pillar, AP, 14th ctry.
Ajithanatha, KA, 12th ctry
Art Institute, Chicago
Tirthankara ChandraPrabhu standing Kayotsarga 12th ctry
Altarpiece 1st Tirthankara Rishabanatha
Altarpiece 1st Tirthankara Rishabanatha
Jaina tirthankara in meditation 15th ctry Gujarat
Tirthankara Parshvanata serpent hood
Tirthankara Parshvanata with serpent 6th ctry
Salar Jung Museum Hyderabad
Parshvanatha Jaipur, 19th ctry
Parshvanatha, Jaipur, 1490 AD
Hampi Karnataka
