Development And Impact Of Jainism In India And Abroad

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Arham Spiritual Center

Page 82

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPACT OF JAINISM IN INDIA GUJARAT STATE (CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN)
- Sajansimh was settled in Khambhat. By his efforts the animal-sacrifies at Bahucharaji were prevented. During the famine of V.S. 1472 two brothers namely Sheth Ram and Parvat the residents of Khambhat had opened three big satragars for the relief work. Eleven Angas were written. By the instance of Shri Somasundarsuri and efforts of Parvat. Many Jain temples constructed by shreshthi Soni Tejpal, shreshthi Ramaji, Jashu Thakkar, Gandhi Kuvaraji and Mula Sheth were consecrated by Shri Hiravijayasuri. When Shri Vijayasensuri demised in V.S. 1672 in Akbarpur the land for construction for his stupa was given in donation by Akbar. Two brothers - Sheth Vajiya and Rajiya residents of Gandhar were settled in Khambhat and here they earned much. During the famine of V.S. 1661 they provided of the food to hungry people and gave them clothes also. In one year they spent 23 lakhs rupees for the relief work and saved hundred people from the hunger. They built five temples in the city. Among them the temple of Chintamani Parshvanath was consecrated by Shri Vijayasensuri. The well known poet Shri Rushabhdas was born at Khambhat. He had written many Ras-granthas. The city contains six Gyan-bhandars. Shri Shantinatha Gyanbhandar passesses 150 manuscripts written on palm leaf.
Vadodara :
The present Vadodra was known as Vatapadra in ancient time. Vadodara, Akota and Pavagadh were the Jain centers. It is believed that the learned scholar Viragani (12 cent.) was born in this city. Santu the mantri of Solanki king Siddharaj was the dandanayak of Latdesh. He was staying in Vadodara. He and Sajjan mantri organised the Rath yatra by the instance of Shri Bhadreshvarsuri. Kumarpal had donated the city of Vatapadra to Katuk belonging to Vaniya. The anjanshalaka of the temple built by Kanha was performed by shri Hemachandrasuri. Vastupal renovated the old temple of Shri Parshvanath. He also constructed a Jaina temple at Akota (Ankotaka) near Vadodara. Some Jain bronzes have been found from Akota. The inscription on one image refers an ancient temple of Ankotak. It is said that the Parshvanath temple in the Narasimhaji's pole was built during the period of Vastupal. The Shastra-bhandar of Vijayaji Mahajraj is located in this pole.
On the Pavagadh hill there are three temple complexes : 1) Bavan deri temples or Navalakhi temples; 2) Temples of Chandraprabh and Suparshvanath near Kalika temple and; 3) Temples around the Parshvanatha temple. It seems that these temples were built during the 14th15th century. All these remains of Jainism indicate that Pavagadh - Champaner was the pilgrimage center since long time
Kavi:
Kavi a small village-pilgimage center of Jainas is located on the bank of river Mahi near Jambusar (Bharuch District). Its old name was Kankavati. It is well known for two temples - Sarvajit prasad and Ratratilak prasad, but they are popular as the temples of Sasu and Vahu respectively. The Sarvajit Prasad (temple of Sasu) is dedicated to Shri Adishvar and originally it was built with wood and bricks. Badua Gandhi the resident of Vadnagar built it with stone in V.S. 1649 and was consecrated by Shri Vijaysensuri. The temple known as Vahunu mandir is dedicate to Shri Dharmanath and was built by Gandhi Kuvaraji the son of Badua Gandhi in V.S. 1654. It is
73