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THB JAIN TIRTHAS
331
hill Satruñjaya was a Jain tirtha from the pre-Christian times, as we have already shown,
189. Palaśikā :-This ancient Jain tirtha of great importance, is now known as Halsi and is situated in the Belgaum district of Karnataka. As noticed in the earlier volume of the present work (pp. 139ff), Palāśikā had a Jain temple, which was probably built in the 4th century A.D., and in all probability, was dedicated to Rshabha. The Kadamba kings were good patrons of Jainism. It further appears that there were several Jina temples at Palāsikā, in the early period ; however at present, there is no trace of Jainism at Halsi ; see Desai, op.cit., pp. 110f.
190. Pāli :- This tirtha, now sacred to Pārsvanātha, is situated in the district, of the same name, in Rajasthan. It was formerly known as Palli or Pallikā. According to Jinaprabha's Vividhatirthakalpa (p. 86), it was a tirtha, sacred to Vira or Lord Vardhamāna Mahāvira. The form Palli is found in that text and also the KB (p. 1). In the epigraphs, from this place, we have the form Pallika and also Pali. The earliest inscription from this place is dated in V.S. 1144, which proves that it was built before that date : see 1144, which proves that it was b Jinavijaya, Prācin Jaina-lekha-sangraha, II, No. 397. This particular epigraph and also Nos. 381 and 383 of that list mention the Viranātha or the Mahāvira cait ya of this place. In the 17th century, this temple was converted into a shrine, dedicated to Pārsva, and was given the name of Navalakbā temple (see ibid., Nos. 398-399). The Palli or Pallivāla gaccha of the Svetāmbaras, originated from this place.
191. Pāšaliputra :-This great and ancient city was connected with both Jainism and Buddhism, from quite early times. Several early Svetāmbara ācāryas were associated with this city, see Prakrit Proper Names, I, pp. 446. According to the 7th-century text, the Āvaśyakacūrņi, II, (p. 187), the first svetāmbara council was held here during the reign of Nanda. Jinaprabha in his Tirthak alpa (p. 69), gives us the vital information that the
