________________
( 203
Worship of Minor Deities :
The epigraphical evidences reveal that several icons of the Shashan-devatas Sachika, Ksetrapal, Sarasvati, Jin-matrikas etc. were carved. Among the Shashan Devatas, independent icons of Ambika and Chakreshwari were got perpared in large number. At Anadra (Sirohi) there is a beautiful Jin-Matrika patta having 24 figures with their names engraved under each. The icon of Ksetrapal was generally installed on Mandovar part of Jain temples. The Barmer inscription30 of V.E. 1352 mentions that the taxes were imposed for the worship of Ksetrapal. Sarasvati, the Goddess of learning was not only invoked in various epigraphs but independent icons were also carved. Some inscribed Jain Sarasvati icons have been noticed from Ladnu, Narena etc.
Sangh-Yatras :
The Jain inscriptions furnish details about the performance of Sangh-yatras. The religious scriptures made it a mandatory duty of rich families to spent lavishly on visiting the religious shrines with a large Sangha. The invitation cards were distributed to all important towns for joining such community pilgrimage. In V.E. 1244 when a large sangh went from Sapadlaksha to Gujarat31 under the leadership of Jinpati Suri several persons from Jaisalmer, Ajmer, Marot, Phalodi, Nagaur, Medta and a few other places accompanied. Detailed description of Jain Sanghs started by Vastupal Tejpal is available in various literary works and in the Abu inscriptions of V.E. 1287. During the 15th century A.D. a good number of inscriptions furnish details of such Sangh-yatras, which were mostly undertaken to Satrunjay, Giranar and Abu. Besides these, Chittor Dhuleva, Nakoda, Jirapalli Jaisalmer Mahavirji and a few other places have also been termed as holy sites, where pilgrims frequently visited. Ratna Shekhar Suri in Shradh-Vidhi32 (V.E. 1506) mentions that a Sanghadhip (the person, who arranged the Sangh-yatra) has to observe certain traditions i.e. taking of
30. Jin Vijay No. 371. 31. The Kharatargachchha Pattavali p. 34. 32, Jain Sahitya Samshodhaka Vol. I Pt. II p. 96.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
