Book Title: All India Jain Temples and Tourist Places
Author(s): B C Nagraj
Publisher: ITI Jains Association, Bangalore

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Page 64
________________ first century B.C. Like wise some of the caves here were scooped before 2000 years, others were scooped upto 10th century A.D. These caves were made for the munis to conduct dhyana and for other requirements. It is said that Samavasran of Bhagawan Mahavira took place here. Samrat Kharavela conducted a congregation of jaina munis and jaina scholars in this place. As soon as we enter through the road, we will find a Dharmashala here. Kandagiri hill is in the left hand side and Udayagiri is on the right hand side. Over Khandagiri there are four Digambar Mandirs and 15 caves . Out of these six caves have jaina carvings of Thirthankars and yakshis. Udaygiri hill has 17 caves. All the caves here does not have any jaina carvings. Hathi gufa here has the famous inscriptions of valuable historical record engraved by Samrat Kharavela. There is a Dharmashala at the foot hill. 155. CUTTACK: (45 kms from Bhubaneshwar) There is a jain temple dedicated to Bhagawan Chandraprabha at Chowdhuri Bazar. Jain Bhavan & a dharmashala is by the side of it. 156. PURI :(62 kms from Bhubaneswar) Puri is one of the foremost Hindu pilgrimage centre. It is one among the 'Char dham' of Hindus and is one out of 51 Shaktipeetas. The Jagannath temple shikar is 214 feet tall with a 'Neelachakra' over it. This was built in the 13th century A.D. The main deity is Lord Jagannatha, Balaram and Subadra flanked by devotees all the year round. The famous Jagannath Rathayatra takes place in Ashad shukla. On the southern part of the temple wall one foot tall Bhagawan Vrishabha's statue can be seen. History says that in ancient Kalinga there was an icon named 'Kalinga Jina'. Mahapadma of Nanda dynasty took away this idol from here after waging a war. This idol was of the first thirthankar Vrishabhanatha. After about 300 years Samrat Kharvela of Kalinga after waging a war against Magadha brought back the same idol. The celebrations of this idol was conducted at Kumari Parvath (today's Udayagiri). Later Samrat Kharavela constructed an elaborate temple and installed that deity. It is believed that the Jagannatha temple of Puri was built by Samrat Kharavela and Lord Jagannath is Lord Vrishabhadev. 57 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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