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that this gachchha was born at Ahar in Mewar but grew in strength in Gujarat. Devendra chandra26 and Som sundar spearheaded the activities of the gachchha, Som sundar was very famous. He travelled in Gujarat, Godawar, Sirohi and Mewar. Several Pratishthas and Sanghyatras were arranged under his orders. The famous temples of Jawar and Ranakpur were consecrated by him in V.E. 1478 and 1498 respectively. The details of his life are available in the Som-Saubhagya kavya27 composed by Pratishtha Som. Inscriptions ranging from V.E. 1475 to 1498 have been known from Rajasthan mentioning his name as Pratishthapak Acharya. Muni Sundar succeeded him. He was present at Jawar when Somsundar Suri consecrated the temple in V.E. 1478. He died in V.E. 1503. After him Ratna sekhar succeeded. He bore an epithet "Bal-Sarasvati". The icons of second and third storeys of Ranakpur28 temple were consecrated in V.E. 1507 and 1509 by him. Several inscriptions ranging from 1503 to 1517 have been known in a large number. He died in V.E. 1517. Laxmi sagar succeeded him. In a celebration arranged by Shresthi Mahadeva he was honoured as Acharya. The icons of Kumbhalgarh and Dungarpur (V.E. 1518) were consecrated by him. In Mandu too he consecrated several icons. After him Hem vimal, Vijaydan and Hir Vijay29 succeeded. Hir Vijay was a very fomous Acharya. On invitation from Akbar he visited his court in V.E. 1639 (1582 A.D.) at Fatehpur Sikari. Several icons bearing inscriptions from V.E. 1611 to 1652 have been known. Vijay sena succeeded him. He was also honoured by Akbar. On his death in V.E. 1671 at Khambhat, Vijay deva succeeded him. Jehangir bestowed upon him the epithet “Mahatapa”. A good number of icons were consecrated by him ranging between V.E. 1658 to 1705. Vijaysingh died earlier than Vijay deva. He was also a competent Acharya. Vijay prabha, Vijay ratna, Vijayksama Suri, Vijaydaya Suri, Vijay dharma Suri Vijay jinendra Suri, Vijay devendra Suri (honoured by Maharana Bhimsingh and
26. Mohanlal Dali chand Desai-op. cit pp. 717 to 719. 27. Darshan Vijay-Pattavali Samuchchaya Vol I P. 65. 28. Maharana Kumbha by the Author (Appendix) 29. Mohanlal Dalichand Desai op. cit p. 722 to 724
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