Sambodhi 1994 Vol 19

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 84

MANAGEMENT OF TEMPLES AT NĀDOL DURING THE
CAUHAN PERIOD
R.V. Somani
Nadol, now in district Pāli of Rājasthān State remained the capital of the local Chauhan-rulers. Several Jain and Hindu temples were built there. It is believed that Mahārājā Laxman, who was the progenitor of the family came from Sapädalaksa and rescued the people of Nadol from the tyranny and free booting raids of Med tribes. He was, therefore, requested by the local residents to settle there permanently. Col. Tod saw two epigraphs dated VE. 1024 and 1039 of his reign at Nādol.One more inscription now incised in the Nil-Kanth-temple of Nadol is dated VE 1125 of the reign of Mahārājā Laxman. The scholars believe that it was a mistake of engraver, who had wrongly inscribed the date as VE 1125 instead of VE 1025.' Thus Laxman remained in power between VE 1024 to 1039. He constructed the Laxman Svāmī temple at Nādol and fortified the town by building boundary walls around it having several gates.
Laxmaņa Svāmi Temple
As already stated, it was built by Mahārājā Laxmana. Its references are available in the Sādarī and Nadol inscriptions dated VE 1147 of Mahārājä Jottal Deva. The same text of the inscription has been engraved at both these places. It mentions that whenever the festival of Rath Yātrā was organised in any temple, the courtezans attached with other temples must also attend the same by putting on their ornaments and best garments. They were required to perform dancing, play instrumental music, recite sings and so forth."
It seems that Laxmana Svāmī temple remained simple in design and has not been referred much in the later records except the unpublished inscriptions of VE 1162, 1192 and 1251.5
Other Temples
The Tripuruṣadeva temple, existed some where outside the town. It was having several small shrines as mentioned below :