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Antiquity of Bahubali and His Mounment at Sravanabelgola
119
Gangaraja, the minister of Viṣṇuvardhana was the prominent one. His mother Pocikavve had constructed a number of Jaina temples in Sravanabelgola. Gangaraja constructed a Nişadya in her memory in Sravanabelgola. Two more inscriptions are available which show as to how Gangaraja was brave and honest to his master. He defeated the Colas and Calukyas and saved Gañgavādi. Vişnuvardhana was pleased, and on his demand, he donated Govindavādi and Parama villages for the conduct of worship of Gommatesvara. Gangarāja presented these villages to his mother Pocaladevi and wife Laksmidevi for conducting the worship in the Jaina temples constructed by them. He had also constructed some more Jaina temples and made contribution to the development of Sravanabelgola. His sons Boppa and others also did a lot towards its development.
Gangarāja Mārasimha and his General Cămundaraya assisted the Rastrakūta kings Akalavarsa III, Khottiga, Indra IV etc., in saving their kingdoms from the Colas, Pandyas, Gurjaras, Calukyas, Kiratas, etc. Though the Rastrakutas and the Calukyas did not do much towards the development of Sravapabelgola directly, they protected the holy place and the monuments indirectly. The inscriptions found around Sravanabelgola area Sravanabelgola area reveal the facts in this connection. In comparison to other dynasties the Ganga dynasty contributed much to protecting and developing the Sravanabelgola complex.
REFERENCES
1 Kalpaaütra Kiranaval!, 151-2.
2 Adipurāṇa, 16, 28.
3 Uttarapuraṇa, 35, 28-36. See also also the Pars vanathacarita of Vadiraja, 9.37-28, 2-65. 4 Suttanipara, 977.
5 Panini, Aşpadhyayi, 1-373.
6 Ibid, Padya No. 14.
7 Jain Silalekhasangraha, Vol. 1 No. 24, 1, 2, 3, 4 etc
8 Silaiekha No. 235 (158).
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