Jaina Rock Cut Caves In Western India Part 01

SR No.: 022810
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Viraj Shah
Publisher: Agam Kala Prakashan
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 412
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 321

Site: Location and Importance
295 One of the primary reasons, why the town was considered so significant is its strategic location in the picturesque valley, at the entrance of one of the chief passes through Satmala hills. A rivulet, Ad nala, fed by innumerable rivulets trickling down the hills, flows through the village, which provides easy supply of water, apart from attaching sanctity to the place. The Ai Bhavani temple is situated right on the bank of this stream. The place is associated with the legend of the goddess killing Mahishasur (Sinclair 1872: 296).
Thus, the site seems to have been chosen for its strategic location and sacred nature. The caves were excavated at a time, when a number of Jaina excavations were coming up in the neighbouring region of Nasik and Aurangabad. The site of Ellora, which has clearly influenced the sculptures in the cave stylistically, is quite close by. In later period also, the site continued to be a Jaina centre as attested by a small Jaina shrine near the Mahadeva temple. The popularity of Jainism in the region is suggested by a small Jina icon on the jangha portion of the Mahadeva temple, interestingly on the side facing the caves.
CHAMBHAR LENA OR GAJAPANTHA
The Jaina caves at Chambhar Lena, now known as Siddhakshetra Gajapantha, were excavated in the late 11th-early 12th century CE. The site is considered the nirvana place of seven out of nine Balabhadras and eight crore monks.
Like Pandu Lena, the site had the advantage of proximity to Nasik, which is 8 km south. It is not referred to in any of the inscriptions, though a number of literary works mention it, along with Mangi-Tungi. There are no other architectural remains at the site.
Epigraphic references
There is an inscription, found at the site, but not traceable today. In the earlier reference to the inscription, the details were not available (Burgess 1877: 20). However, the Digambara dictionary, published in 1913 informs that a fragmentary inscription was found from the site, which states “In Samvat 1441, Hansaraj-mata Godibai served the purpose of her life by looking at Manik swami". As Nathuram Premi has showed this Manik swami is the main icon of the famous tirtha of Kulpak, near Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. Kulpa along with the icon is mentioned in a number of texts, dealing with Jaina tirthas (Premi and Jain 1939: 188-189). The site is also mentioned in Jambusvami charitra' of Ratnasa (Akkole 1968: 192). Possibly, this inscription was brought from Kulpak to the present site (Premi and Jain 1939: 189) or the inscription is the account of pilgrimage of the lady referred to in the inscription and mentions a number of other tirthas visited
Literary references
In the literary works this site is known as Gajapantha or Gajadhvaja. The earliest literary reference to the site is in 'Santinātha charita' of Asag (988-89 CE). When Amitatej and Srivijaya pursued Vidyadhara Asaniveg, along with their armies, he escaped to