Holy Abu

Author(s): Jayantvijay
Publisher: Yashovijay Jain Granthmala

Page 99

(Holy Abu
Thus there are evidences indicating a fairly good number of Jainas residing in Delvāda from thirteenth to sixteenth centuries of the Vikrama era. When this population began decreasing is not known, at present not a single Jaina family native at Delvāļā is known and the whole village population is made up of only about fifty houses of Brāhmins, Rajputs, peasants and labourers.
Hindu sites nearby, described in a subsequent chapter in this book are chiefly, the Shrīmātā (Kanyākumārī shrine ), Rasiyo Vālama, Arbuda or Adhara-devī ( Ambikadevī), cell of Maunibāvā, Santasarovara, Nala guphā, Pāņdavaguphā etc.
On a hill adjacent to the village in a very big enclosure are situated the five shrines of the Shvetāmbara Jaina sect :(1) the Vimala Vasahī, (2) the Lūņavasahī, (3) the Pittalahara temple, (4) the Chaumukha or Kharataravasahi shrine, ( 5 ) the temple of Mahāvīrasvāmi. The first two show finest carving in marble, the third is famous for a big image cast in brass weighing about 108 maunds, the fourth is a typical Jaina piece of architecture, three-storeyed, the object of worship being a four-faced tower in the centre, with four images on four sides visible from each storey. The Mahavīra shrine is only 200 or 250 years old. Four shrines, excepting the Chaumukha, are enclosed in a big compound, with only one entrance, to the right of which is a narrow passage leading into the compound of the Chaumukha or the Kharatara-vasahi temple.
On the other side of the main fane leading to these shrines, near the Kīrtti-stambha on its left, on a raised ground, is a Digambara Jaina temple reached by ascending a few steps. On its back, on a little higher level, are situated quarters for paid worshippers ( pujārī) and chokidārs, owned by the Svetāmbara Jaina Kārkhānā (managing body of Svetāmbara temples ).