Holy Abu

Author(s): Jayantvijay
Publisher: Yashovijay Jain Granthmala

Page 28

Foreward)
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stalls and canteens were provided for men and animals. Shobhanadeva was the name of the architect (Sutradhiya) entrusted with the execution of the work. Tejapāla appointed his own brother-in-law named Odala as the Superintendent of works (Uparisthāyaka), with power to spend freely. The image of Neminātha was made of black granite. In spite of an army of 700 sculptors being put on the work, the progress was slow. Odala reported this to Tejapāla who visited the place with his wife Anupamā Devī. She went about the work and noticed that the chief architect was busy in erecting the four pillars of the Mandapa, but in spite of spending much time, did not finish the job. The lady questioned as to why the progress was so slow. The architect replied that owing to extreme cold on the hill and also because the workmen left at noon for their meals in the town at the foot of the hill, much time was wasted by these interruptions. Tejapāla asked his wife as to what she suggested to overcome the difficulty. With her intense practical wisdom, she suggested two things: firstly, that the work should be carried on in two separate shifts for night and day; and secondly, that workmen should be provided with free wholesome food on the spot on behalf of the builder. Needless to say that both these practical tips were readily accepted by her husband with the consequence that only after a few days completion of the work was reported to him. . The temple of Vastupāla-Tejapāla is in general agreement with the architecture and ground plan of the earlier temple of Vimala Shāh. It is also a walled enclosure with an oblong courtyard, a range of cells on three sides, and a colonnade of double pillars. There is slight variation in that the courtyard has the hasti-shālā or portrait gallery on its inside to the east. The outer portico of the Vimala Vasahi is absent here. The Rangamandapa, the Chhah