Atmanandji Jainacharya Janmashatabdi Smarakgranth

Author(s): Mohanlal Dalichand Desai
Publisher: Atmanand Janma Shatabdi Smarak Trust

Page 140

Jain Influence on the Architeoture of Gujrat Rajavallabha, which they have preserved in their temple libraries. The modern salats owe their knowledge to these treatises. Some Jaina teachers are known to have taught them. Gujarat is the only tract in Western India where the architecture of the past is still a living art. Some of the Jaina Yatis give instructions in these architectural treatises but as they are not themselves the builders, the rules given in their treatises remain understood in theory but not in practica. On the other hand, the stone-masons or salats are ignorant of sanskrit and therefore, unable to comprehend the texts. Moreover, there is no patronage either by the state or by private individuals, No buildings are constructed which are of the old style. The result is that the old style has become debased and compares unfavourably with the purer style of earlier and better days. Notwithstanding all this, the tradition is preserved and if rich persons come forward to construct buildings, at least temples, in a pura old style, the art will revive. Chiefs are above religion and FTIUT F AT: But millionaires can do a lot in this respect as was done by the well-known builders of the Abu temple, who are said to have spent more than 120000000 (twelve crores of rupees) on constructing this wonderful monument of Jaina patronaga of art. These are two tamples built wholly of white marble. They ara unsurpassed models of the wonderful style of Jaina or one can say Hindu style of mediaeval architecture. The earlier of these is dedicated to Adinatha and was built by Vimalashah in 1031 ( A.C.). The later was constructed by Tejahpala two centuries after i.e. 1230 ( A.C.).
Countless images owe their consecration to Jaina liberality. Thousands of temples were built by the Jainas, Digambaras as well as Svetambaras. Innumerable paintings and illustrated manuscripts on paper and palm leaves were written by the Jainas, Jaina monks and Jaina nuns. The gigantic image of Sravana Bdgola is one of the most artistic specimens of Jaina sculpture. The Dilwada temples are the most artistic specimens of Jaina temples. These are considered to be among the wonders of the world.
The great muni to whose memory this volume is dedicated did enormous work in this connection. Many buildings were constructed in Shatabdi Granth ]
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