Jainism in Gujarat

Author(s): Chimanlal Bhailal Sheth
Publisher: Godiji Jain Temple Mumbai

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by making pilgrimages to the holy places of the Jains with the Jain Sangha. The chroniclers, though differing in details, leave us in no doubt that Kumarapala had undertaken his pilgrimages after hearing the 'tirthamahatmya' from Hemasūri. They further agree in saying that he had visited the holy hills-Satrunjaya and Giranãra It is certain, as Somaprabhasūri, a contemporary of Kumarapala, states that the king did not climb Granara owing to old age. The chroniclers
are, moreover, unanimous in saying that Kumarapala constructed a trunk road on Giranara. The officer appointed to superintend the work was Amradeva, the governor of Saurastra, as Somaprabha and Jinamandana say, and not Vágbhata as some of the later chroniclers relate. It is also certain that Hemasuri, king's guru, was with him along with the Jain Sangha There is, however, some difference of opinion as to the route followed by Kumarapala Somaprabhasūri who places the pilgrimage before the administration of the twelve vows of a Jain layman, says that the king went first to Giranara and then to Satrunjaya, while the others say that he first went to Satrunjaya and then to Giranara. The third view is that he visited these places, via Dhandhuka. The probable solution is that