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Tirthankaras. On Jain holidays, the images are profusely adorned. The images of Sasanade vatās are supposed to guard the temple. The Jinalaya is kept in such a state of constant repairs that it is difficult to say how much of it belongs to the time of Kumarapala.
Kumarapala's temple on the Tarangā Hill (near Mehsana) is dedicated to Ajitanatha, the second Tirthankara. At the main entrance, there are eight pillars of the biggest size with carving at the bottom as well as at the top. On the north and the south, the entrance is supported by two similar pillars, The temple has a big sabhamandapa which is used by the devotees as a prayer Hall. In the walls of the Sabhamandapa, there are several niches containing the images of Tirthankaras and Sasanadevatas. The central dome is supported on eight pillars beautifully' earved. Eight statues with various musical instruments are represented as standing on the pillars. Near the garbhagriha, however, there are two simple pillars. In the gabhara, there is a colossal idol of Ajitanatha. On both the sides of it, ladders are provided for its worship. The image which we see to-day in the temple is not the one originally set up by Kumarapala. It
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Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
