Development And Impact Of Jainism In India And Abroad

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

Page 83

Development & Impact of Jainism in India & Abroad
refered as Ratnatilak in the inscription. These two temples are the Bavan-Jinalaya type. 'Kavi tirthamala' written by shri Dipvijayaji Maharaj in V.S. 1886 mentons about these temples and Badua Ghandhi.
Gandhar :
Ghandar is pilgrimage center of Jains which is situated on the sea-shore in Jambusar Taluka. It was wellknown port during the ancient period. Here Shri Hiravijaysuri received the farman from Akbar to visit him at Fatehpur Sikri. At that time Hiravijayasuri was paracticing the Chaturmas in Gandhar. Akbar wished to know about the Jainism from Hirvijay suriji. Two temples of Bhagavan Mahavirswami and Amizara Parshvanath are located in Gandhar. The temple of Mahavirswami was renovated by Shethani Harkuvar in V.S. 1810. The temple of Amizara Parshvanath was constructed by Rajiya-Vajiya of Khambhat. The old wall situated in the village is known as the upashray of Hiravijaysuriji.
Bharuch :
Bharuch was the prosperous port of ancient Gujarat. Its old name was Brugukachchh or Bhrugupur. Ancient southern Gujarat was known as Latdesh and its capital was Bhrugukachchh. Jain tradition mentions that in the city the Chaitya of Bhagawan Munisuvrat Swami was located and was known as 'Asvavbodh'. It was renovated by Sanghamitra the daughter of Sinhal king and it was renamed 'Shakunikavihar,' According to Jain tradition king Samprati and Vikramaditya had renovated it. 'Vividhtirtha kalp', 'Prabandh chintamani' and 'Prabhavak charit are main sources to know about this vihar. It was renovated by mantri Ambad and he built it in stones and was consecrated by Hemchandracharya. Mantri Tejpal had prepared out Suvarnadhvajas (Goldan Flags) for its 25 devakulikas. Shakunika vihar was existed up to the period of King Karnadev - the last king of Vaghela dynasty. Shri Devabhadrasuri had written a book namely Siripasnah Chariya in Amradatt vasahi in V.S. 1165. It mentions about the construction of bavan of Jinalay dedicated to Shri Vasupujyaswami built by Gordhansheth of Kapadvanj. At present these two temples are not extant.
Surat :
Surat was the prosperous port of the midieval Gujarat. It is refered as Suryapur in image - inscription and literary sources. Its development was continued till 16th century. The high and vast architectural monuments located in Gopipura and Nanavat area give an idea of the richness of the Shresthis of that period. The monuments constructed with the donations of Nagar Sheth Jagannathbhai, Bhana Shalisheth, Lakshmidas, Shantidas Sheth, Sheth Premchand Raychand, Sheth Nagindas. These monuments are extant at present. Many beautiful temples are located in the city. Among them Shri Sambhavnath temple, Vasupujya temple, Parshvanath temple and Adishvar temple in Gopipura area, temple of Chandraprabhu in Saiyadpur, temples of Adishvar in Athava lines and in Katargam are notable. The dome of the Adishvara temple in Gopipura is biggest dome among the Jain temples of Surat.
Sheth Premchand Raychand was a great doner. He was born in Surat and belonged to Oshwal caste. He contributed in the development of Surat, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. In V.S. 1920
74