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THB JAIN TIRTHAS
323 date Śaka 991, corresponding to 1069 A.D. (see M.A.R, 192, p. 171 ; see also J.S.L.S., IV, No. 152). Its modern name is Mattāvara and other epigraphs discovered from this place, show that the Hoysala kings took active interest in the Jain shrine of this village ; see also supra, pp. 118f.
161. Mertā :- This well-known place in Rajasthan, was connected with Jainism, from quite early times. From the literary sources, we learn that a temple of Mabāvira was built at Mertā in the 11th century ; see Jain, Ancient cities and Towns etc., pp. 178f; Several Jain works were written at this place. The KB (pp. 66, 68, 73) also associates this place with the activities of the monks of the Kharatara gaccha. The Digambaras also took active interest in this place, in the 16th century (see Bhattāraka Sampradāya, No. 279). For the Svetām bara inscriptions, from Merta, see Nahar, op.cit., Nos. 750ff.
162. Mirpur :- This place, sacred to Pārśvānātha, is situated in Sirohi district of Rajasthan and was known as Hamirapura in earlier times; Tirtha Darsan, I, pp. 252f.
163. Mithila :--This ancient city of the epic fame, was also looked upon as a tirtha by the Jains of the earlier times. Lord Mabāvīra himself stayed for six years in this city ; see Prakrit Proper Names, II, p. 603; see also supra, 1, p. 24. The two Tirthankaras, Malli and, Naminátha were born, according to the Jain tradition, in this city. The Jain rebel Asamitta was associated with this city in the 3rd century B.C. According to the Vividhatirthakalpa (p. 32), this ancient city was situated on the confluence of the Bāņaganga and the Gandaki and was known as Jagai in Jinaprabha's time. This information is vital for the exact identification of the ancient Mithilā.
164. Modhera :--This ancient place, famous for the Sun-temple, in the Mahesāna district of Gujarat, was connected with Jainism, from the 8th century. According to the Prabhāvakacarita (p. 80), Bappabhațți was initiated by Siddhasena, at this place, apparently in the 8th century. Both
