Jainism in India

Author(s): Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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JAINISM IN INDIA
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Railway track near the Betwa river and is so called because of the abundance of temples. But its more ancient name was Lucchagiri or Lacchagiri which was a part of the kingdom of the Gurjara-Pratiharas. A temple dedicated to Santinatha was constructed here round 784 A.D. (V.S. 919). This is evident from an inscription of king Bhojadeva who was the grandson of Nagabhatta II and great grandson of Vatsaraja. In 12th century V.S. the name of this place was changed into Kirtigiri which was further changed into Devgarh towards the close of the century or carly in 13th century V.S. This area must have been part of many kingdoms but at last it came under the occupation of the Candela kings and was a big city in 1294 A.D. Jainism flourished in this region of which remains have been available at Mahoba, Ahar, Tikamgarh, Madanpur, Nabai and Jakhaura. The scenic beauty of this region of the Vindhya hills is just superb. With hills, rivers and forests, it must have inspired the immense cultural outburst of which the remaining proofs are the innumerable images, platforms, columns, gateways, walls and other decorative materials. Apart from several Hindu temples of the Gupta period, there are 31 Jaina temples in the region. Of these in temple No. 4 one can see the mother of the Tirthankara in a thinking posture (vicāra mudrā) in the midst of a dream. Temple No. 5 is the Sahasrakuta caitya with artistic images, 1008 carved all around it, and with an inscription outside dated V.S. 1120 which perhaps is the date of its construction. On two slabs in Temple No. 11 are carved the images of the twentyfour Tirthankaras. They are all shown in a calm posture (prasanta mudrā). Of thes: the biggest is Temple No. 12 dedicated to Santinatha in which there is installed a lofty image 12 ft. in height which attracts the visitors. All around it are carved decorative art and images and in the four corners are installed images of gcddess Ambika. On the outer walls of the temple are carved the images of 24 yakṣas and yakṣinis. All these temples are constructed in the northIndian Aryanagara style which is immensely distinct from the Dravida style. This Nagar or Aryanagar style which was widely adopted in this region was strictly indigenous and flourished before the advent of the Turko-Afgans. Not only that; this style must have immensely influenced the art of central India and had occasion to flourish during the reigns of the Guptas, the Gurjara Pratiharas and the Candelas. From the Jaina temples and caves, the Archaeological Survey of India has recovered about 200 inscriptions. This is immensely significant from the standpoint of Jaina culture.
Ahar region-As per inscription, the ancient habitation of Ahar was known as Madanesasagarapura between V.S. 11th and 13th cenu ies. Madanavarma of Candela dynasty was an illustrious king of For Private & Personal Use Only