Jain Marble Murtis

The Tirthankaras most often carved in marble

Jainism venerates twenty-four Tirthankaras, the enlightened teachers of the present age. In marble, the most commonly commissioned are Bhagwan Mahavir, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara; Parshwanath, the twenty-third; Adinath, also called Rishabhdev, the first; Shantinath, the sixteenth; and Neminath, the twenty-second. Other Tirthankaras are also carved, often for temples completing a full set.

How a Tirthankara murti is identified

Tirthankara murtis are deliberately alike, expressing the same stillness and detachment, and are told apart mainly by the lanchhana, an emblem carved on the pedestal or cushion. Common emblems include:

• A lion for Mahavir.
• A serpent for Parshwanath, who is also usually shown beneath a canopy of serpent hoods, often seven.
• A bull for Adinath or Rishabhdev.
• A deer for Shantinath.
• A conch for Neminath.

The posture follows one of two conventions. In padmasana the Tirthankara sits cross-legged with the hands resting palm upwards in the lap, the usual choice for a home derasar. In kayotsarga the Tirthankara stands upright with the arms hanging free of the body, a posture of complete bodily detachment often chosen for larger temple images. Emblem lists can differ slightly between texts and regions, so confirm both the emblem and the posture with your sangh before carving begins.

Shvetambara and Digambara murtis

The two broad Jain traditions depict the Tirthankaras differently, so please tell us which the murti is for. In the Shvetambara tradition, murtis commonly have inset glass or crystal eyes with an open, outward gaze, and are adorned with painted or applied ornaments and a carved loincloth. In the Digambara tradition, murtis are commonly unadorned, without a garment, and the eyes are downcast in meditation. Regional preferences exist within each tradition, so reference photographs from your own temple are the most reliable guide. Consecration, known as anjan shalaka in the Shvetambara tradition and pratishtha more widely, is performed by the community's acharya or as the sangh directs, after the murti has been installed. The maker has no part in it.

Guardian and attendant figures

Alongside the Tirthankaras, temples and homes often commission attendant and protective figures: Padmavati Devi, the yakshi of Parshwanath; Chakreshwari Devi, the yakshi of Adinath; and protectors such as Manibhadra Veer, Nakoda Bhairav and Ghantakarna Mahavir, who are venerated mainly in Shvetambara temples. Each has its own iconography and is usually placed in a side shrine. Which figures are appropriate depends on tradition and lineage, so consult your sangh. If you need a matched set, tell us the full list when you enquire.

Pratimas for a derasar or jinalay

If your sangh is building a new jinalay or adding pratimas to a derasar, our page on marble pratimas for Jain derasars explains how a commission works, what to send and how we plan the carving around your pratishtha.

White marble, size and setting

White marble has a long association with Jain temples, Dilwara and Ranakpur among them, and most Tirthankara murtis are commissioned in white or near-white stone. For a home derasar the murti is usually small and sits within a cabinet-style shrine, so measure the internal height, width, depth and door opening carefully. Temple murtis are larger and often sit within a carved parikar or throne back, which adds considerably to height and width. Our size guide explains how to measure.