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.
Location
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]
History
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]
Architecture
Plan of Pataini temple
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]
Sculptures
Temple entrance with images of Jain and Hindu deities
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]
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]
Archaeological Survey of India (1921). Progress Report of Archaeological Survey of India Western Circle(PDF). Baptist Mission Press.
Beglar, J. D. (1878). Report of a Tour in the Bengal Provinces in 1872-73. Archaeological Survey of India. Vol. 8. Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing.
Cunningham, Alexander (1879). Report of a Tour in the Central Provinces in 1873-74 and 1874-75. Archaeological Survey of India. Vol. 9. Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing.
Datta, Sambit; Beynon, David (2016). Digital Archetypes: Adaptations of Early Temple Architecture in South and Southeast Asia. Routledge. ISBN 9781317150947.
Media related to Pataini temple at Wikimedia Commons 
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