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Art and Architecture / 213
furthered the Nirgrantha activities of commissioning temples, and deities of Jaina Pantheon, appeared in every nook and corner of the kingdom. Dhavalā-Țika states that the places where the rșis attained liberation, the days and dates of their greater achievements like the completion of Dhavalā and Mahāpurāņa, are holier and auspicious for the zealot to celebrate. The Rāstrakūtas made rapid strides in commissioning Jaina edifices and sculptures. Jaina monuments of this age vividly express diversity of temple plans to meet the taste of the patrons and to suit the local availability of stone and artists.
8.1.3. Ruling houses of Karnātaka patronised from the beginning Jaina art and architecture : "From at least the fifth century, the followers of this religion began to use works of art for the propogation of their cult. This is known from a number of copper-plate charters issued by the early Kadamba kings registering grants to Jaina institutions like temples. A copper plate charter dated in the eigth regnal year of Kadamba Mrgeśavarman (circa fifth century) records the construction of Jain temple by the king in memory of his father (IA. VI. pp. 1 ff.). The credit of having created a beautiful and an early example of temple in the Dravidian style goes to the Jainas of this state; this is the Meguți temple of Aihole [EI. VI. pp. 1 ff]. In this temple there is an inscription of the Cālukya king Pulakesin-II dated 634-35. The author of the record was Ravikirti, who arranged for the construction of the temple. During the period of Rāştrakūtas, several Jaina monuments were erected, although only a few them contain inscriptions" (Ghosh, (ed): vol. III : p. 454].
8.1.3.1. The bequest of Karņāțaka's Jaina dynasties includes some of India's most magnificent basadis, aweinspiring monolithic colossi, Mānastambhas, Jinabimbas in both kāyātsarga khadgāsana and paryankāsanalpadmāsana
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