Mahavira Rides in His Initiation Palanquin: Folio from a Kalpasutra Manuscript

Art Historical Context

This exquisite folio from a 15th-century *Kalpasutra* manuscript hailing from Gujarat, India, captures a pivotal moment in Jain history: Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara Jainism, riding in a palanquin during his. The *Kalpasutra*, a Jain text attributed to the monk Bhadrabahu, recounts the lives of revered spiritual leaders and monastic disciplines. Produced in the vibrant Jain manuscript tradition of western India, such illuminated pages were recited during festivals like Paryushana, blending devotion with artistry to inspire the faithful. Rendered in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold ...