Jainism in Bihar

Author(s): P C Roy Choudhary
Publisher: P C Roy Choudhary Patna

Page 57

It, however, appears that Dr. Stein did not mention in his article that Kuluba bill was the birth place of the Jain Tirthankar-Shitalanath.
Dr. Stein's description of the bill which has bardly changed could be quoted “The hill known locally as the Kulua Pahar' is formed by a projecting spur of the great range which runs along the northern edge of the plateau of Hazaribagh. It consists of a series of steep basaltic ridges, running in the general direction of north to south and culminating in a pinnacle of bold crags, which reach to a height of 1,575 feet above sea-level, as fixed by the Trigonometrical Survey. Owing to its height and bold form, the hill is a very conspicuous object in the land scape, as seen from the plains of Sharghatty subdivision". Now the subdivision is known as Sadar subdivision of Hazaribagh district. Dr. Stein continued :
"The top of the Kuluha hill is approached by two paths only, one leading up from Hatwaria village on the west, and the other from a valley which skirts the hill, on the east. Following the former, which I used on my ascents to the bill, traces of the pilgrims' route are soon met in the auspicious sindur (red lead) marks applied to all larger rocks and trees. About half a mile south of Hatwaria, where the path leaves a wooded plateau at the foot of the hill, there is a small mound of stones and, on its tops an old relievo, measuring 1 ft. 8 inches in height by 11 in breadth which represents the Jina Parshvanath under the usual snake-hood. The Hindu pilgrims and the Purohits know the sculpture by the name of Dvarapala, “the Guardian of the Gate". For about half a mile further the path crosses an outlined ridge, which is fairly wooded. Then the proper ascent begins over bare basaltic roads of remarkably large size which face the whole west side of the bill. They are so steep and so bare of vegetation that for one not bare-footed it is a matter of some difficulty to scramble up. After an ascent of about