Oldest idol of jainism

The oldest known Jain idol is generally considered to be the nude Tirthankara statue found at Lohanipur, near Patna (Bihar, India). This idol dates back to around the 3rd century BCE, during the Mauryan period. The Lohanipur torso is made of polished stone and represents a Tirthankara in the kayotsarga (standing meditation) posture, which is typical in Jain iconography.

Other ancient Jain idols have also been discovered at places like Mathura and Kankali Tila, dating to the early centuries of the Common Era (1st–2nd century CE). However, the Lohanipur idol is widely recognized as one of the earliest archaeological evidences of image worship in Jainism.

These findings support the Jain tradition that idol worship (murti-puja) has ancient roots, although scriptural Jainism emphasizes meditative and ethical practices above rituals.