Jain Inscriptions of Rajasthan

Author(s): Ramvallabh Somani
Publisher: Rajasthan Prakrit Bharti Sansthan Jaipur

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In the earlier times, the plan of a Jain temple was quite simple. However, after the 10th century A. D. additional structures: the Trika-Mandap, Ranga-Mandap, Devakulikas etc. were also added to Shvetambar Jain temples. It also became a fashion to decorate the temple elaborately through fine architectural designs and attractive tracery works. Thus the temples had become too ambitious for a single financer to be able to bear the cost of construction and maintenance (e.g. Ranakpur). The works of renovations, additions to the temple, construction of Devakulikas, Mandaps, Stambhas, Chatuskikas etc. were therefore, shared by several persons.
. It is interesting to note that there was no uniform way of recording these datails in the inscriptions. Some times the big Prashastis were composed to record the minor works undertaken by individuals. Major renovation and additions to the Vimla-Vasati were carried out in V. E. 1206 by Prithvipal. But he had recorded his deeds in a fragmentary inscription having a single verse,16 Similarly the major renovation of Lunig17 Vasati done by Pethadkumar is also mentioned in a small epigraph. In this way, we can say that no standard draft recording the renovations and additions to temples etc. was popular.
Inscriptions of the icons :
The inscriptions engraved on the pedestals of the icons Shilapattas etc. mostly have the following points in the draft.
(i) The inscription is opened by giving some religious marks like Shri or Hrim.
(ii) The date is generally recorded either in the beginning or at the end.
16. अयं तीर्थसमुद्धारोऽत्यद्भुतोऽकारि धीमता श्रीमदानंदपुत्रेण श्रीपृथ्वीपालमंत्रिणा।
Abu II No. 72 17. 3771 72 TITT HETETTTT: STATT 925: wah:
ofturtant qarte se a daværsa atat FTATE: 1 ibid No. 382.