Jainism in Bihar

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

Page 59

which is about 2 ft. high is carved in a black basaltic stone and seems distinctly old. The interstices between the rocks serving as side walls and the boulders there filled with bricks 9 inch square and 24 inches thick. Close to the west of this is another small grotto containing a seated Jina in the conventional posture. As the Chinha engraved on the pedestals is effaced, the Jina intended cannot be ascertained. Judging from the red lead marks on these sculptures, they seem to enjoy the orthodox attention of the pilgrims.
“Descending from Bhimbbar towards the temple a small rock-ground tank is passed and near it two small images placed below a tree. They measure 11 ft. in height and damaged by exposure are yet clearly recognised as representations of Jinas. The pedestal of one of them bears a short inscription of which, however, only the date Samvat 1443 can be made out with any certainty”.
The scenic beauty of the top of Kuluha bill is superb. Unfortunately the place has been somewhat neglected by the Jains and there are no rest sheds for the visitors or the pilgrims. Some of the loose Jain images that were observed a few years back no longer exist and speculation is useless as to where they bave been removed. The Hindu shrine of Kulesvari receives a large number of visitors, mostly women, on particular cocasions. Tradition also associated Kuluba bill as one of the places where the Pandava brothers of the Mahabbarat spent a part of their forced hiding during the banishment. There is no corroboration of this and there are many places in different parts of India that are taken to be the places of hiding of the Pandava brothers.
The Jain images of Kuluha hill are all Digambari murtis. The rock-cut images of the ten Digambari figures in Kuluha bill are commonly described as Pandava brothers with their attendants.