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Declined by CoconutOctopus 101 seconds ago. Last edited by Meherun Mehnaj Miti 66 seconds ago. Reviewer: Inform author.

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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Meherun Mehnaj Miti (talk) 12:17, 11 June 2025 (UTC)

Irbhanath

Irbhanath (Bengali: ইরভানাথ) is a regional folk deity venerated primarily in Deuli village, located in Bagmundi, Purulia district, West Bengal, India. Worshipped predominantly by tribal and rural communities, Irbhanath is believed to be a localized transformation of a Jain Tirthankara, whose original identity evolved through centuries of cultural shifts, oral transmission, and religious syncretism.^[1]^[2]

Etymology and Name Evolution

The name Irbhanath is believed to be a corrupted or folk-evolved version of Arnath, a name recorded by 19th-century colonial explorer J.D. Beglar during his survey of the region.^[3] In the 20th century, David McCutchion documented the same idol being referred to as Irbhanath, reflecting linguistic shifts in oral traditions.^[4]

Historical Background

Early Jain Influence

The region of Rarh Bengal (covering Purulia, Bankura, and parts of Bardhaman) was historically significant in the spread of Jainism between the 2nd and 4th centuries BCE. Jain texts suggest that Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, may have traveled through this region.^[5] Archaeological finds, including Jain temples, chaityas, and sculptures, support the theory of a once-thriving Jain presence in this area.^[6]

Decline and Religious Assimilation

With the gradual rise of Brahmanical Hinduism in the medieval period, Jainism declined in Bengal. Abandoned Jain temples and idols were absorbed into local Hindu and tribal religious practices, often renamed and reinterpreted as local deities.^[7]^[8]

The Deuli Temples

The Irbhanath idol is housed in a north-facing temple in Deuli, part of a cluster of five temples documented by J.D. Beglar in the 1870s.^[9] He noted:

The central temple faced north.
Two temples were in ruins.
The black stone idol featured a deer motif, common in Jain iconography.

David McCutchion's Observations

David McCutchion revisited the site in the 20th century and confirmed:

The deer symbol was intact, reinforcing Jain origins.
Worship was conducted by a tribal priest.
The idol was renamed Irbhanath and venerated as a fertility deity.^[10]

Iconography

The Irbhanath idol stands about three feet high, carved from dark stone. Features include:

A deer on the pedestal — a Jain symbol.
A separate four-armed idol beneath a kusum tree, bearing weapons (sword, mace, ankusha, scimitar), possibly indicating assimilation with Hindu deities.^[11]

Worship and Rituals

Devotional Practices

Irbhanath is primarily worshipped by women for fertility, especially during the festival of Jaishtha Sankranti.^[12]

Rituals Include:

Bathing Ritual: Women bathe in a nearby pond the night before Jaishtha Sankranti.
Divination: Stones or other objects found in hand during the bath symbolize the gender of future offspring.
Vow (Manat): Offerings and prayers are made at the temple.
Animal Sacrifice: Goat sacrifices, now part of worship, reflect syncretism with local Hindu traditions.
Annual Fair: A mela is held during Sankranti, drawing large crowds.^[13]

Scholarly Interpretation

Scholars see Irbhanath as a rare religious palimpsest—a Jain Tirthankara reshaped into a Hindu folk god through centuries of oral reinterpretation. This transformation illustrates:

Fluid religious identities in Bengal.
Cultural layering of tribal, Jain, and Hindu traditions.
Linguistic evolution (Arnath → Irbhanath).^[14]

Cultural Significance

Irbhanath symbolizes:

Endurance of Jain heritage in rural Bengal.
Syncretic religious practices.
The role of women in preserving local religious traditions.

References

^ McCutchion, David J. (1972). Late Medieval Temples of Bengal: Origin and Classification. Calcutta: Firma KLM. ISBN 978-8120810660.
^ Sengupta, Nitish K. (2008). History of Jainism in Bengal. Indian Historical Review.
^ Beglar, J.D. (1872–73). Report of a Tour in the District of Purulia and Bankura. Archaeological Survey of India Reports.
^ McCutchion, David J. (1972). Late Medieval Temples of Bengal: Origin and Classification. Calcutta: Firma KLM.
^ Sen, Tansen (2008). Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism: Interaction and Syncretism in South Asia. Oxford University Press.
^ Ghosh, Amalananda (1989). An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology. New Delhi: BR Publishing.
^ Roy, R.K. (1995). Tribal Religion and Folk Beliefs of Bengal. Journal of Folklore Research.
^ Sen, Tansen (2008). Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism: Interaction and Syncretism in South Asia. Oxford University Press.
^ Beglar, J.D. (1872–73). Report of a Tour in the District of Purulia and Bankura. Archaeological Survey of India Reports.
^ McCutchion, David J. (1972). Late Medieval Temples of Bengal: Origin and Classification. Calcutta: Firma KLM.
^ Settar, S., & Naidu, S. K. (Eds.) (2016). Jainism: Art, Architecture, and Philosophy. Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
^ Chorkoborti, Mriganko. Banglar Debota Opodebota o Lokodebota. [Publisher unknown], [n.d.].
^ Roy, R.K. (1995). Tribal Religion and Folk Beliefs of Bengal. Journal of Folklore Research.
^ Sengupta, Nitish K. (2008). History of Jainism in Bengal. Indian Historical Review.

[1] McCutchion, David J. (1972). Late Medieval Temples of Bengal: Origin and Classification. Calcutta: Firma KLM. ISBN 978-8120810660.

[2] Sengupta, Nitish K. (2008). History of Jainism in Bengal. Indian Historical Review.

[3] Beglar, J.D. (1872–73). Report of a Tour in the District of Purulia and Bankura. Archaeological Survey of India Reports.

[4] McCutchion, David J. (1972). Late Medieval Temples of Bengal: Origin and Classification. Calcutta: Firma KLM.

[5] Sen, Tansen (2008). Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism: Interaction and Syncretism in South Asia. Oxford University Press.

[6] Ghosh, Amalananda (1989). An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology. New Delhi: BR Publishing.

[7] Roy, R.K. (1995). Tribal Religion and Folk Beliefs of Bengal. Journal of Folklore Research.

[8] Sen, Tansen (2008). Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism: Interaction and Syncretism in South Asia. Oxford University Press.

[9] Beglar, J.D. (1872–73). Report of a Tour in the District of Purulia and Bankura. Archaeological Survey of India Reports.

[10] McCutchion, David J. (1972). Late Medieval Temples of Bengal: Origin and Classification. Calcutta: Firma KLM.

[11] Settar, S., & Naidu, S. K. (Eds.) (2016). Jainism: Art, Architecture, and Philosophy. Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

[12] Chorkoborti, Mriganko. Banglar Debota Opodebota o Lokodebota. [Publisher unknown], [n.d.].

[13] Roy, R.K. (1995). Tribal Religion and Folk Beliefs of Bengal. Journal of Folklore Research.

[14] Sengupta, Nitish K. (2008). History of Jainism in Bengal. Indian Historical Review.

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Draft:Irbhanath