Indian Antiquary Vol 31

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

Page 76

72
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[FEBRUARY, 1902.
Swetambaras residing at Pattana (Patna) have made a subscription, and repaired many of the ruined temples at Rajagiri and Pavapuri. At present there are sixty houses of Brahmans at Rajagiri, who perform the worship of all the Jaina temples and receive presents from the Jaina travellers who come to this place. Those Brahmans are not originally of this country. They say, that about 300 years ago, when a prince named Chatra Sinha reigned at Bajagiri, no Brahmans were to be found here. The prince sent, therefore, to the Maratha country, and, having invited about 120 families of the Brahmaps to his capital, granted them lands and establishments. Since that period, their descendants have resided here, and have performed the daily worship of all the temples.
1:
11th.Leaving Rajagiri, I went to the city of Gaya, where I arrived on the 12th. This is a very holy place in the estimation of the Hindus. In the centre of the city is a large temple, where the Vishnu-pada, or feet of the god Vishnu, are sculptured, the soles being carvel to represent the Sankha (or shell), Chakra (or discus), Dhwaja (or flag), Ankusa (or elephant hook), Gada (mace), Padma (or lotus). The feet are placed on the north face of the temple. It is said by the old Gayawala Brahmans that about forty years ago, the Rani of Khandu Rao Holkar, Ahalya Bai, visited Gaya, and erected a large temple to the Vishnu-pada. The length of the temple is twenty yards and the breadth twenty feet on the top is placed a gilt vase. The temple has two gates, one on the east, which is the public gate, and one on the north, made with copper plates. In the front of the temple, she erected a pavilion with sixteen pillars, where a large bell is suspended, which is struck by the worshippers before they enter the temple. In the vicinity, on the side of the hill, in a pavilion, where eighteen places are levelled out of the rock, at which the Pindas are offered. The Pinda is a ball made up with rice, flour, and milk, of the size of a lime. Eighteen of these are severally presented at each altar, along with sandal, flowers, sacred rice, and Tila, or oil seeds. These Pindas are offered for the sake of the souls of their ancestors. South of this mantapam is built a hall for the accommodation of the pilgrims.10
East of the temple of Vishnu-pads is the Math, or convent of the ascetic Satya Dharma who is a priest of the Vaishnavas. Here are an image of Hanuman, and a Dharmatúla, or hall for the use of travellers.
North of the temple of Vishnu-pada is erected a stone pavilion with twenty pillars. The travellers who come to place the Pindas on the feet of Vishnu, dress the food at this pavilion.
East of this is a Garuda-bála or gymnasium, where the GayAwAlas exhibit athletic feats. North of it is the temple of Gadadhara, in which is placed an idol of Gadadhara: the right hand of the image holds the weapon called the gada or mace. East of this temple is the river Phalgu, to which a Ghat or flight of stone steps, descends, embellished by a stone pavilion on each side.
West of the temple of Gadadhara is a ruined mantapam, in which is an image of Bhairavs. North of that is a marble image of the Rani Ahalyabal, in the shape of an old woman holding a japa-mald, or string of beads in her right hand. On the left side of the image is the image of the goddess Lakshmi. Close to this is another temple with the image of the goddess Kali,
On the north of the temple of Gadadhara is a Bairagi's convent, in which is built a small temple with a lingam. This establishment consists of a superior, and about ten sishyas or disciples.
South of the Gadadhara temple, are placed three images called Madhusudana, Ganapati, and Surya Narayana. These are in three rooms separately: east of which is the convent of the followers of Bankaracharya, a renowned priest of the Hindus in former times.
The river Phalgu runs also to the north of the Gadadhara temple; and between the river and that temple is another Ghat or stairs, upon which is a large pavilion for the use of the travelling Bairagis.
10 Or. Mag. Vol. II. pp 68-78.