________________
Every Pilgrim Needs A Torch
NEEDS A TORCH
of information in English about
Jain sacred places is very
(Kurt Titze was born in Germany) to compile such a volume wild animals and dacoits. However, in 1933 Anandji after undertaking strenuous low-budget journeys at long Kalyanji Trust restored this beautiful temple over a period intervals with insufficient funds to places not mentioned in of eleven years. Today, it is a "must see" on every tourist tourist guides. One cannot help but admire his courage, guide. Bihar (a name derived from "vihara" meaning perseverance and devotion in completing this book. He visited temple), although the poorest region of India with very poor many Jain pilgrimage sites on foot and during his travel roads, is the cradle of two great religions: Buddhism and discovered large stone images of Jinas and a row of Jainism. It has got some of the most important historic Tirthankaras chiselled into a huge boulder, never seen before places, which almost every Jain irrespective of sectarian by most Jains. This sight must have been very rewarding. His leanings longs to visit at least once in his or her lifetime. encounters with acharyas, bhattarakas, monks, nuns and The most important places to visit are where Mahavir was knowledgeable laypersons at places as far apart as Madhuban born, lived and died. Also Sammeta Shikhara (known as (Sammeta Shikhara) in Bihar to
Parashnath Hill) at an altitude of Idar in Gujarat and Gingee in
1360 metres, where twenty of Tamilnadu must have been a great
"Despite India's artistic the twenty-four Tirthankaras experience.
reached moksha. The Jains distinguished heritage, the quality and quantity
In addition to the travelogue, themselves by their decorative
there are excellent articles sculptures, as distinct from
contributed by Prof. Dr. Klaus individual statuary images, and
Bruhn, Dr. Jyoti Prasad Jain, attained a considerable degree of
Prof. Dr. Noel Q. King and Prof. excellence in the perfection of
Dr. Vilas A. Sangave. Klaus pillared chambers. This is very
Bruhn's article on the "Jain Art much in evidence at the 'Vimala
limited.”
of Gwalior and Deogarh" is very Vashi' temple at Mt. Abu and
interesting and throws new light Dharna Vihara' at Ranakpur. From
on these beautiful Jain temples about the 9th to 10th century great sages such as Acharya and sculptures. The detailed identification of the Jain Kundakunda kept the teaching of the 24 Tirthankaras alive in temples on this site built in 862, especially the Shantinatha the land of Tamils. It was a vigorous period of temple building temple, are worth visiting. with beautiful stone and bronze sculptures, metal icons. In that The article on "Symbols, Mantras and Parables in time many literary masterpieces were composed.
Jainism" is very informative and will be of interest to all It is interesting to note that the Rishabhdev Mandir, now Jain scholars. There are also articles on the charitable and known as Keshariaji, situated about 65 kilometres south of social traditions in Jainism especially the eye-camp for the Udaipur is a place of worship not only for the Jains but also for poor at Lalitpur in Uttar Pradesh, the Veerayatan Ashram at the Hindus. Today, the local population (mainly Bhils) worship Rajgir, the Jaina Women's Ashram at Sholapur and the here as well. Similarly, the Jain temple at Taranga Hill, where unique model of Charity at Dharmasthala in Karnataka. Buddhism was the first religion, also attracts other worshippers. Having read this book I was saddened to note that the Later on, Digambara and Shvetambara Jains had settled on this author Kurt Titze died last year. No doubt this unique book isolated hill. In the 12th century Kumarapala, the Solanki king is a tribute to his memory. residing in Patan, who himself was a Shvetambara Jain, built the beautiful temple of Ajitnatha in white marble in 1164. Sobhag (Raju) Shah is an art collector and promoter based
It is worth noting that the grandest Jain temple built at in London. Ranakpur around 1300 was during the reign of Rana Kumbha, ruler of Mewar. Though not a Jain by religion, Ranaji looked Jainism - A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-violence favourably on his minister, Dharana Shah, a Jain patron and his
Kurt Titze plan for erecting a temple and gave him the land to build the Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi temple. This temple was left to decay by mindless Muslim
www.mlbd.com invaders. Pilgrims no longer dared visit the temple for fear of
March - May 2002 . Jain Spirit
53
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