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The Jaina Stupa at Mathura: Art & Icons
legend regarding the establishment of three ancient images (Sankheśvara, Khambhata and Carupa) by Srāvaka Āsādhi, he might be the same. At Mathurā many inscribed artefacts from Jaina stupa since 2nd B.C. strengthened the existence of Jaina Sangha. The donation records on Āyāgapata and on other sculptures confirm the influence of Mathurā city among the followers of Jainism in India and abroad. Jaina Sangha at Mathurā welcomed the lay followers who established images, toraņas, pillars, life incidents of Jinas, etc. in shrines could be judged from their names on inscriptions. After leaving Magadha the second group settled in this Sauripura Janapada. The toraṇa of Uttaradasakall and Āyāgapata of Āryavati12 are the striking examples of popularity of Jainism in 2nd B.C. onwards. Jaina monks and follo were familiar with this route of north-east passing through Mathurāl3. After reaching Mathurā the group dispersed in two batches, first wended to proceed to Vidiśā and other choose the way to Rajasthan and Gujarāt. The Udaygiri caves at Vidiśā exhibits the existence of Jainism from 1st B.C. onwards. The group further proceed to Amarāvati, Bhadrāvati and then reached to North-west Karnataka. The Rajasthana group first settled at Sirohi and Sādadi, then at Avanti, Badanāvara, and Mandasor (Dasapura) in Mālavā while in Gujarat at Dhānk, Valabhipur and Talaja. The group further proceed to Maharashtra (via Bharuaccha) at Sopārā, Kalyan and Poona, afterwards settled at Dhārwāra in Karnataka. A Jaina Gaccha named Sopāraka originated from Sopārā. One donation record of late Gupta period at Navsari shows the Jainas' settlement in between Bharucha & Sopārā.
7.5
The Gathering of both Groups: In Karnātaka both Jaina groups from North-west and south with their relative batches gathered and resided together as observed from the above mentioned inscriptions of Kadmba king Mrigeshavarmā at Halsi and Dhārwāra. They donated land for the use of Bhagavat arhat mahā Jinendra devatā, Svetapatta mahā-Sramana-Sangha, Nirgrntha-mahāSramana-Sangha, Yāpaniya, Nirgrantha and Kurcchakas.
11 Ep.I. vo.-,no. 12 Ep. I.vo. II, no. 20. , 13 Puri B. N., “Jainism in Mathurā in the Early Christian Era", in Shri Mahavira Jain
Vidyalaya G. J. V., Bombay, 1968.
