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Jaina Rock-cut Caves in Western India In the Marathwada region, Ukhald in Parbhani district, where a large number of icons are found, was an important site. The site continued to be a stronghold of the sect from the 13th to the 18th century. It was visited by Muni Silavijaya in the 19th century CE (Premi 1956b: 457). Other important centres of this region in the pre-14th century period were Aurangabad, Daulatabad, Ter, Jintur, Kachner and Kandhar. These centres continued to hold significance till the 18th century CE. Ter is mentioned by Ratnasa in Jaina Marathi text, 'Jambusvāmi charitra' (completed 1688 CE) as Jaina tirtha (Akkole 1968: 192-193). Aurangabad and Daulatabad developed as separate 'pithas' or seats of Bhattarakas (Akkole 1968: 174-175). As explained in the last chapter, rich merchants from Gujarat built temples in Daulatabad, while the famous acharya Hiravijaya was sent here for further studies in his young age. Kandhar had emerged as an important centre by the 13th century as there existed an 'Anvaya' named after this place, mentioned in 1215 CE inscription from Mehkar. Jintur gained more importance from the 14th-15th century CE. It became the centre of Bagherval community. Like Jintur, Kachner also became more popular in later period. Chimna Pandit (17th century CE) mentions that a jātra used to be held in Kachner on every full moon day of Kartik and 'mahābhisek' was performed (Akkole 1968: 188). A few centres developed in the post-14th century period. Of these, Kunthalgiri and Shiradshahapur are foremost. Shiradshahapur is referred to by Jinasagar (1724 CE) (Akkole 1968: 189). Kunthalgiri is one of the important centres even today. A fair is held on every full moon day of Margasirsa (Osmanabad District Gazetteer 1972: 773). Latur was also an important centre as a separate pitha' was established here (Akkole 1968: 104).
In Vidarbha, Sirpur was the most important centre of the sect. The site, along with its icon of 'Antariksa Parávanātha', is mentioned by Jinaprabhasuri. Thus, by 14th century, it was established as a tirtha. It is referred to in a number of texts of the post-14th century CE. Gunakirti (1470 CE) mentions it as Atiśaya kşetra and refers to the 'antariksa' icon of Parsvanātha or the icon 'suspended in air', while Chimna Pandit (17th century CE) refers to the antiquity of the Parávanātha icon here (Akkole 1968: 187-188). It is also mentioned by Ratnasa (1688 CE) and was visited by Muni Silavijaya (Premi 1956b: 454). It continues to be most significant tirtha of the region till today. Lonar had been another important centre from at least the 11th century CE. Even in the 18th century, it had some significance as it was visited by Muni Silavijaya (Premi 1956b: 455). A few other centres like Karanja and Ramtek developed in the post-14th century CE period. Of these, Karanja was the most important cultural centre, where a seat of Bhattarakas was established in the 14th century CE (Akkole 1968: 9). A number of texts refer to it (Akkole 1968: 184-185). Muni Silavijaya describes the city and the Jaina temples here in glorious terms (Premi 1956b: 456). Ramtek is mentioned by Ratnasa (Akkole 1968: 113). Apart from these, there were a few other centres such as Akot, Amaravati, Nagpur and Washim mentioned in a number of Marathi Jaina texts (Akkole 1968: 185) and Malkapur, Elichpur and Patur visited by Muni Silavijaya.
In south Maharashtra, Kolhapur and the region around it was a stronghold of the sect, mainly in the 11th-12th centuries. The sect received liberal patronage from the Silaharas. The Rupanarayana Jaina temple and the Santinatha basti at Kolhapur, along with famous achāryas here, find mention in the inscriptions at Shravanabelgola (Jain, K. C. 1940: 62). However, since this region is physically closer to Karnataka, it is quite
