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 174

Lana-Vasahi ]
science of war) from his father and Shastravidyā (knowledge of scriptures etc.) from his learned uncle. His son was Prince Kṛṣbṇarāja (Kānhaḍa), a contemporary of Vastupala and Tejapāla.
Lūnavasahi
91.
Ministers Vastupala and Tejapala erected a number of Jaina shrines, of which, the Lunasimha-vasahi on Mt. Abu is the most famous. It was built by Tejapala for the spiritual welfare of his wife Anupamadevi and son Lavanyasimha, at fabulous cost, with special permission of his master, the Solankî emperor of Gujarat-Bhima, the second -and of the local chief Somasimha, the Paramāra Mahāmandaleshvara of Ābu. Built of finely wrought white marble, it was named Lūņasimha-(Lāvaṇyasimha )—Vasahikā (shrine), and was dedicated to Neminatha, the twentysecond Tirthankara. A beautiful big sculpture of Neminatha, made of black basalt, was installed as the mulanayaka in the sanctum of this magnificent shrine. Situatnear the Vimala Vasahi, it has similar fine carvings and is composed of the garbhagṛha (main sanctum), the gudhamandapa, the navachoki, the rangamaṇḍapa, balānaka (i. e. dvara-maṇḍapa, a pavilion on the main entrance), Khattakas (big niches looking like miniature shrines on two sides of a wall), row of cells in the Jagati (i. e. Bhamati or circumambulatory passage) and is also adorned with a Hastishālā. The consecration ceremony of this shrine took place with great pomp and festival, on Sunday the 3rd day of the dark half of the month of Chaitra, in Vikrama year
1 According to Jaina traditions it was built with a total cost of 125300000 rupees. But still the total sum is much less than the cost of the Vimala Vasahi though built on an almost similar scale. But Vimala, the pioneer, had to spend more in his first adventure and had to purchase land with gold coins spread over it,