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THE JAINA GAZETTE
Aratrika was performed by the waiving of lights in front of the image." After a brief stay on the hill, during which he kept visiting each and every shrine there and indulging in various acts of religious piety, he followed by other pilgrims, returned to his encampment. Thence the party proceeded to Girnar. When they arrived at the base of the holy mountain, a general halt was ordered. Next morning, the pilgrims ascended the hill and offered their adorations to the holy foot-prints of Neminatha. Having stayed there full three days, the pilgrims returned to their lodgings, From Girnar, the party moved on to Prabhasapattana and thence returned to Dholka. The great pilgrimage was over. The responsibility of the leader came to an end. The congregation then got dispersed every one went home, praising the liberality of Vastupala,
As pious Jainas, he and his brother Tejahpala built temples, Paushadashalas, Upasaras and other public buildings. They lavishly expended money on their building operations engaging the services of well-known master-masons. Perhaps the greatest architect in their employ was Sobhanadeva who built for them their famous temple on Mount Abu. It stands close to that of Vimala-shah and was completed in A. D. 1230.1 The temple which is popularly ascribed to both the brothers was in fact erected by Tejahpala in memory of his brother, Luniga, and was dedicated to Neminatha. It is a fine example of what is known as the Jaina style of architecture and in the words of Fergusson for minute delicacy of carving and beauty of detail stands almost unrivalled even in the land of patient and lavish labour. In the year following. Vastupala built a triple temple dedicated to Neminatha on Mount Girnar and another temple dedicated to the same Tirthankara on Mount Shatrunjaya.
Vastupala was a poet of no mean order. His poetic name was Vasantapala. Someshvara testifies to his great literary attainments by calling him the godson of the goddess of learning. Merutunga pays his tribute to his poetic genius by describing him as great poet. His famous poem, the
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1 History of Ind. and East. Architecture, ed. Burgess, II 36. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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