________________
JAIN RELIGION IN KACHCHH (GUJRART) ANTIQUITY, PROPAGATION & EXPANSION
All the inscription mentioned by Shri Ratilalbhai have been kept and preserved carefully in a separate room. The other remains of the idols found during the excavation of the base at the time of reconstruction are also kept and preserved in the same room. The talks with the local residents revealed that they are planning to have a museum to keep and preserve the relics and the stone incarnation. It was also stated that the respectable members of the committee ( Trust) should not only think of Bhadreshvar tirth, but should also look after and give equal importance to other pilgrimage places (tirths). Efforts should be made to preserve Jagdushah palace, the well made by Jagdushah and other palias too.
Remains of the base similar to the relics of damaged idols and stone inscriptions, are also of great historical importance .They contain the names of donors and paintings and the dates ( years ). They are lying in open on the right hand side of the entrance of the temple. Proper provisions should be done to preserve them.
The photographs captured at the time of personal visit to the temple are sent herewith .It shows the renovated condition after the earthquake. Likewise the incarnation in Sanskrit on the left hand side gives the details of reconstruction. The photographs are enclosed herewith ).
GOUDI PARSHVANATH JINALAYA (DEVPAR):
The inscription in the temple reads as " With the blessings of Sri Cakeshwaridevi, in the Kachchh desh ,at Shri Devpur rajye, the Maharao Shree 7 Khenarji Bahadur Vijay, in the dawn of Friday, Shravan sud dasam, 10 th installed the idol of Shri Goudi Parshvanathji ". According to the inscription, in the year samvat 1785, jain ancestors had built a monumental gateway in this town. As mention in that,Tharparkar came from Marvad during the period samvat 1550 to 1800 and settled here. The metal idols of this temple need special study, so that its period and historical details can be gathered.
It was constructed in samvat 1800, during the time of Achalgachhdesh pujya acarya bhagvant Shri Divyasagarsurisvarji. There after in the year samvat 1938 a temple with the dome was constructed because of the inspiration by Achalgachh Bhattarak Acarya Shri Vivesagar surisvarji. Again in the year samvat 1978 on Vaishak sud 10th, under the able guidance of Kriyodhharak Munimandalagresh pujya muniraj Shri Gautamsagarji maharaj shaheb. In the year samvat 2028 on Vaishak sud 6th reinstallation and Goldenjubilee was celebrated under the auspicies of Achalgachhadhipati pujya a.b.Shree Gunsagarsurisvarji m.s. and other muni bhagvants.23
KANDARA:
The main idol in this temple, which is 165 years old, is of Shri Shantinathji. This temple being a small one, according to the capacity of the town ,community (sangh ) has constructed a new templenear to that temple. It was done before three years. The idol of Shri Neminathji is the main idol. There are two upashrayas of Murtipujak achalgachh sangh,and office is also there. There are stanakwasi Upashrayas also.
BHUJ : A 450 years old temple with the main idol of Shree Adinath bhagwan inthere in the
149
