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Kulpak-A Jaina Tirtha-Kshetra
99
A.D. 1276 which refers specifically to the pious Jains from Kollipaka. Again we hear about the flourishing state of Jainism at Kulpak as far late as 18th century from a Nagari inscription dated A.D. 1711.16 It is a record engraved in Nagari script and Sanskrit language. It belongs to the time of the Moghal Bahadur Shah I, described as Dilisvara-PatasahaSri-Orangajeba-Alamagira-putra-Sri-Bahadur Shaha. The object of the record was to register the consecration of illustrious image (bimba-ratna) of Bhagavato Adisvara alias Manikyasvamin and a Prakara was raised around the temple. The renovation work of the chaitya was accomplished by a certain Pandita Kesarikusala who was a disciple of Dharmakusala in the august presence of Bhattaraka Vijaya-Ratnasuri, whose teacher was Vijayaprabhasuri of Tapo-gacchha, with the help of the Nawab Mohammad Yusuf Khan who was a subedar of Bahadur
hl, son of Badshah Aurangazeb, i.e. Alamgir of Delhi. This epigraph throws a flood of light not only on the flourishing state of Jainism at Kulpak but also about the religious harmony that prevailed during the time of Bahadur Shah I (i.e. 18th century).
The present Adinatha temple at Kulpak (Fig-4) is the main centre of attraction for the Jains coming from all over India. At present, the temple is being maintained by the Svetambara Jains. The principal deity and other Jaina sculptures of the temple no doubt, belong to the Svetambara sect. The present temple underwent thorough renovation in recent years; therefore the exact date of construction can not be ascertained. Thus, Kulpak although destroyed by the Cholas, did not lose its importance as a principal or prolific Jain-Kshetra.17 It still continues to draw Jain devotees from far off places all over India.
REFERENCES 1. Hyderabad Archaeological Series, Vol. XIX, p. 147. 2. South Indian Inscriptions, Vol. X, No. 90. 3. Epigraphia Carnatica, Vol. III, Tn. 34. 4. No. 3, Inscriptions of Andhra Pradesh : Warangal district. 5. Jawaharlal, G.: Jainism in Andhra, Hyderabad, 1994, pp. 317-319. 6. Jawaharlal, G. : op.ciet. pp. 325-328. 7. Ng. 43, Kannada Inscription of Andhra Pradesh. 8. Hanumantarao, B.S.L. : Arahat - Vachana, Vol. 4, October 1992, p. 8.
