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 219

CHAPTER VII
KHARATARA VASAHI (CHAUMUKHA TEMPLE)
The fourth shrine at Delvādā, dedicated to Pārshvanātha, and known as the Kħaratara Vasahi, is a Chaumukha -shrine with entrances to the sanctum on three sides and the image installed in it being a Chaumukha or four-fold image, with a Jina installed on each of its four faces. It seems that since the consecration ceremony of the mūlanāyaka of the shrine and of some other images were performed by monks of the Kharataragaccha ( order of Jaina monks, known by this name), the donor of the shrine probably was a follower of the Kharatara order which fact led to the temple being known as the Kharatara Vasahī or the temple of the Kharataras. Some of the peculiarities of this order are also noticeable in this temple in the seats of figures of achāryas carved here. in the popularity of images of Pārshvanātha and so on.
The temple is a three-storeyed one since the central four-fold image ( Chaumukha ) is a sort of tall shaft, at each storey there are four-fold images. Inscriptions on the back side of the asanas of these Tīrthankaras are partly covered with plaster and hence the date of the temple or names of all donors are not known. The few letters visible at present seem to suggest that most of the images were installed in about 1505 V.S., by Samghavi Maņdalika and his family, of Daraļā Gotra and Oshvāla by caste. Jinachandra ächārya of the Kharatara gachchha installed these images.
An approximate date for the erection of this shrine can be obtained by other means. In an inscription in the Digambara shrine at Delvāļā, dated in 1494 V.S., and in the inscriptions dated in 1497 V. S. referring to certain ar