Jain Inscriptions of Rajasthan

SR No.: 001596
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ramvallabh Somani
Publisher: Rajasthan Prakrit Bharti Sansthan Jaipur
Publication Year: 1982
Total Pages: 350
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Art, & History
File Size: 17 MB

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the 10th century A.D. It was named the Aloka-Parshwanath temple as we learn from a Bijeliya inscription of V.E. 1226 (1169 A.D.). It was renovated several times. Inside the temple on a raised36 platform, there are three small shrines which now have no icon. Apparently the temple was dedicated to Parshwanath. There are two inscriptions dated V.E. 1356 (1299 A.D.) and 1361 (1304 A.D.) both engraved by Digambar Jains. During the reign of Maharana Kumbha an icon was set up here by Shvetambaras of the Kharatargachchha. Obviously the Shvetambars occupied it by this time. Indeed the Tapagachchha Pattavali37 claims that Samudra Suri had freed the Nagada Parshwanath temple from Digambar Jains. Munisundar composed a stotra to Parshwanath where this temple is mentioned and is said to be quite ancient. "It was," Muni sundar says, "built by Samprati the famous Mauryan ruler".39 The Ekling temple inscription of V.E. 1028 (971 A.D.) reports that a religious40 discussion was held in the court of Naravahan. The Gurvavali41 of Lat-Bagad of Digambar sect, also reports a similar event and claims that victory went to the Jains.
The Adbhutaji's temple is another important Jain shrine here. The temple itself is plain but it has a colossal image of Shantinath, which was42 installed in V. E. 1494 (1437 A. D.) by Sarang Navalakha, son of Ramdeva of Devkulapatak. Two other large sculptures of Kunthnath and Abhinandannath bearing inscriptions of V.E. 1495 (1438 A. D.) on their pedestals during the reign of Maharana Kumbha are also installed in this temple. Close to this temple is another Jain temple, now in a dilapidated condition. From inscriptions, we learn that it was built in V. E. 1429 (1373 A. D.) and dedicated to Parshwanath. Several fragment
36. ibid/E.I. Vol. XXVI pp. 102-12.
37. PRASWC, 1905 p. 38. Tapagachha Gurvavali of Muni Sundar (Bhavanagar) p. 4.
39. The Stotra-Sangrah Vol. XI (Bhavnagar) p. 158.
40. JBBRAS Vol. XXII p. 166.
41. History of Mewar by the author p. 55.