Indian Antiquary Vol 31

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 73

FEBRUARY, 1902.)
A PANDIT'S VISIT TO GAYA, 1820.
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abad made a subscription and built the said temple, in which they placed some of their Swetambara images; and also, close to the temple, they built a Dharmasála or charitable cheultri for the use of the travellers, since which many of the Swetâmbaras come annually to this place to visit their gods.
February 18th. - Left Châmpapar and proceeded to Uttarabahini where the river Gangå runs from east to north. In the middle of the river is a rock, on which is a temple of Iswar. At the festivals of Siva, many travellers come to this shore, fill their carboys with the water of the river, and carry them to Vaidyanath.
19th. - I set out from Uattaribahini, and arrived at Mongir. Ten kos east of this is a small hill, at the bottom of which are five Kundas (or pools) called Ramakund, Lakshmanakund, Bharatkund, Satrughnakund, and Sitakund. These Kunds are enclosed with masonry: the length and breadth of each is 12 feet. The old people of the place say, that in ancient times, when Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Satrughna, and Sita the consort of Bama, were travelling to the forests, they arrived here, and formed the five wells for their ablutions, whence the Kunds go by their names. Amongst these five kunds, the water of SitAkund is very hot: if any person touch the water, his hands will be scalded. Tbe Ramakund water is very cold. The water of the three other Kundas, or of Lakshmana, Bharata, and Satrughna, is of moderate temperature. The pilgrims, who go to Vaidyanath come to this place to bathe, and give alms to the Pandas, or proprietors. There are sixty of these Pandas. Early in the morning, these people issue forth on all sides and look out for al travellers and pilgrims, whom they conduct to the Kundas and receive money for their trouble.
February 28th. - From Mongir I proceeded by Suraj Garh, Balgudar Shaikhapur, Kakandi, : and Jamuna, to the city of Bihar. On approaching the city, I found some stone Bauddha images at all the neighbouring villages, but the people of this place call them by the names of Mahadeva and others, being ignorant of what they are. There are about twenty houses of Swetâmbaras in this city, and two Jaina temples, one of the Digambara, and the other of the Swetambara sect. In the temple of the Digambaras there are placed seven copper images and one of stone ; and in the temple of the 'Swetambaras are five stone images and fifty of copper and brass. Bihar is chiefly inhabited by Musalmans; and there are forty Dargâhs, and twelve Masjids. The Nawab, whose name is Miyah, lives here; he has & Jagfr of about five thousand Rupees 8 year; and has one ngubatkhåna before his palace, four elephants, twelve horses, and one hundred servants. It is said, that in former times this city was called Visakhapur. When the Jain king, Siddharti Baja ruled Kshettrikupd, there was another king, called Vihakha Raja, of the race of Ugravamba, who arrived at this place, and established a city, which he called by his name Visakhapur: he resided here, and ruled the vicinity. At that time, Srepika Maharaja reigned at hie capital of Rajagiri; and these three kings were all related by marriage and were all on friendly terms. After the death of Visakha Baja, his son, named Parkwa-sena, quitted dominion, and adopted the Diksha, or profession of an asoetio. At the same period, Vardhamana Swami, the son of Siddhartha Raja, adopted also a holy life, and performed his devotion on the banks of the river called Surjaks-Nadi, south of the hill of Sumedha-Parvata. After twelve years of austerity he became a Mahâjõyani or wise man; and the Devendra [Indra), the lord of the deities, appeared to him, and worshipped him.
When Parkwasena, who had been performing his penances at Visakhapur, was informed of Vardhamana Swami's having obtained the divine rank of Tirthakara, he was highly mortified And enraged; but being helpless, he restricted the object of his devotions to the rank of Ganadhara, the second rank under the Tirthakara. In this the deities were not disposed to place him, as he was a man of great ignorance. Devendra, therefore, assumed the shape of an old Brahmap, and wrote
This is better known as the Faqir's rook of Sultanganj or Jangira. The temple on the summit is dedioated to Sing, and a sort of college of Deanámi Gomains is attached to it. They have been there for thirteen couNiODS of Pontiffs or Mahanta :.. mumber of figures and soulptarea have been out on the granite blooks, which form this rocky elovation. They are chiefly Saiva, though some aro Valahpava, and a few Jain. -T.
The hot water of BitAkupd, on one coonsion, raised the meroury to 180°, whilst the temperature of the air was 760. .