Holy Abu

SR No.: 023259
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jayantvijay
Publisher: Yashovijay Jain Granthmala
Publication Year: 1954
Total Pages: 380
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 14 MB

Page 100

17
Delvaḍā]
To the north of the Digambara temple, on a higher level, is situated a building of the Svetambara Kārkhānā, near which there is small hollow in the rock (gupha). Under a pippala-tree nearby is a mutilated sculpture of the Jaina goddess Ambika beyond which on a still higher level are four cells containing three idols of Tīrthankaras and one of Ambika-devī. The four cells are known amongst pious Jainas as the Four Tunks (paths or groups of shrines) of Girnar.
A waiting room is built near the office of the Svetāmbara Karakhānā just in front of the main entrance to four shrines referred to above. The room is built for Princes and Europeans visiting the shrines, for changing their leather boots or shoes and wearing canvass foot-wear instead. The latter is supplied to them by the said Karkhānā since going into a temple with leather shoes on is especially against Jaina sentiments and against principles of any other Indian sect in general. For years together the Europeans, and often the Indians accompanying them, used to go in with leather shoes on. The late reverend Shri Vijayadharma Sūri ( the guru or teacher of the present writer) requested Mr. Colvin, the then British Agent for Rajputānā to the Governor-General of India, to issue an order prohibiting such an entry. Dr. Thomas, the famous Orientalist of the India Office Library, London, who is a well-known scholar of Jaina works, also helped in persuading the Government and ultimately an order has been issued in 1913 A. D. a copy of which is appended at the end of this work.
The Office of the Shvetambara Kārkhānā is known as Sheth Kalyāṇaji Paramānandji Peḍhī. Opposite to it is a godown of the office for supplying bedding and utensils for cooking etc., to pilgrims staying in the big Dharmashālā