Book Title: Holy Abu
Author(s): Jayantvijay
Publisher: Yashovijay Jain Granthmala

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Page 244
________________ Hindu Sites and Places of Interest] the sanctum the object of worship is below the floor level; in a pit on one side, is a small object of toe-like shape in the rock which is revered as the toe of Lord Shiva. As is usual in the Shaiva shrines, the niche on the back-wall of the sanctum contains a sculpture of the goddess Parvati. In one corner are kept a loose image of a Shaiva saint and two sculptures of princes or donors. 161 In the guḍhamandapa of this shrine, in the right corner, is a marble paṭṭa of 108 Shiva-lingas of small size. Besides, the guḍhamandapa contains a number of smaller images of different gods or goddesses,1 along with a few of donors. Sculptures of donors are also lying in the portico. Inscriptions on some of these show that they are assignable to periods ranging from the 13th to 18th century V. S. In the compound of this shrine, is a temple dedicated to Shri Lakshmīnārāyaṇ. There is besides a cell of Chamuṇḍā, 16 other cells of various sizes, and 7 raised platforms with Shiva-lingas, images of Ganesha, Parvati and others. In the Lakshminārāyaṇa temple are images of the ten incarnations of Vishnu, a sculpture of Vishnu reclining on the serpent Shesha (Sheshashayî-Vishnu) and some other images. Figures of the ten incarnations include Buddha portrait sculptures of his own-self and the queen. He also gave a gift of the village Hethunjí on Mt. Abu. A beautiful stone sculpture of Kanhaḍadeva, the son of Mahārāv Tejasimha and grandson of Lumbha, is also preserved in the sabhamaṇḍapa. It has an inscription dated in 1400 V. S. (c. 1343 A. D.). 1 Some of these are old, some seem to have been collected from the old habitation sites at Achalgaḍh. A small figure of Mahishamarddinï is assignable to c. 8th century A. D.Translator. 21

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