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JAINISM IN RAJASTHAN
Singh, Jayamalla had installed images in the Adinaath, Parshvanaath, and Mahavir temples of Jalore. Pali and Medta in this state had similar installations in 1629.
In 1737, the pratisthamahotsava was celebrated at Marotha during the reign of Abhay Singh. At this time Marotha was under the feudatory rule of Bakhat Singh and Vairisal; it was not an independent kingdom. The chief minister Rama Singh erected many temples and installed many images. In 1767 A.D. was celebrated the rathajatra festival with due pomp in the reign of Mertiya Rajput Hukam Singh. In recent past two large and ambitious temple complex popularly known as New Pavapuri and Bahiron Tarak have come up near Abu road.
Bikaji and his successors had great respect for Jainism and the Jain monks. Maharaja Raya Singh was a true devotee of Jina Chandra Suri. At the request of Karma Chandra Bachhawat, a minister in Akbar's court, he recovered from Akbar about 1050 Jain images that the Emperor's army had looted. On the occasion of the conferment of yugapradhana title on Jina Chandra Suri at Lahore, Karma Chandra joined the party of Maharaja Raya Singh and Prince Dalpat Singh and made gifts of scriptures to the great savant. Maharaja Raya Singh was also in intimate touch with Jina SimhaSuri, the spiritual successor of Jina Chandra Suri. The Hamira family had installed the image of Neminaath in his kingdom in 1605 A.D.
Karna Singh ascended the throne of Bikaner in 1631 A.D. He donated land for the construction of the Jain upasaras (ascetic abode). MaharajAnup Singh had great intimacy with Jina Chandra and Jain poet Dharmavardhana. The poet had even written a poem on the occasion of his accession. There was much correspondence between Jina Chandra Suri and Maharajas Anup Singh, Jorawar Singh, and Sujan Singh. In 1765 Surat Singh was crowned. He looked on Jnanasagar as an incarnation of Lord Narayan. He donated land for the erection of Jain upasaras. He had great respect for the Dadasahib and for the recurring expenses of worship at the latter's shrine he gave 150 bighas of land.
Jainism made much progress under the patronage of the Kachhava kings of Jaipur. There were at least fifty Jain Dewans (ministers) in this state. Many scriptures were written, many images were installed and many new temples were constructed. Jainism influenced people in the remoter regions of the state through the patronage of the feudal lords.
in 1559 A.D. during the reign of Bharamal, PandavaPurana and HarivamsaPurana were written. During the reign of Bhagawandas who succeeded him, Vardhamana Charita was written. Jainism flourished even during the reign of Man Singh I. Three copies of HarivamsaPurana were prepared during his reign. In 1591, Thaan Singh started the sangh and installed the sodasakaranayantra at Pawa. In 1605 were added the columns to the Champavati temple. In 1607 Jeta had installed hundreds of images in Maujamabad.
Jainism had a good sway during the reign of Mirza Raja Jai Singh. His minister Mohandas erected the Vimalanaath temple at Amber and decorated it with golden pitchers. Other wings were added to the temple in 1659 A.D. Jainism made much progress during the reign of Sawai Jai Singh. Three of his Dewans; RamcandraChhabra, RaoKriparam and Vijayaram Chhabra; made much effort for the propagation of Jainism. Ramachandra erected a Jain temple at Shivad. He and his
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