Sambodhi 2009 Vol 32

Author(s): J B Shah, K M patel
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 65

Vol. XXXII, 2009
The Immortal Stone-Works of Gujarat
59
while entering in it. It looks like its creator is God himself as it is beyond imagination of human mind.
Plate No. 7 shows the finely carved sculpture of Rani-ni-vav. It is the form of Vishnu avatar in which he is depicted as God of power and strength with his army behind him. He is guarded by two nude females which doesn't show vulgarity but the purity of love. Jain Stone Carving
Gujarat means – Gandhi, Jainism, these words tht form a kind of 'trinity' in the minds of many Indian and non-Indians. Carlos. G. Valles, a Spaniard by birth and a Gujarati by choice, writes in his sketches of God, written and published in Gujarat, that in this state Jain influence is particularly felt because due to historical reasons, most of the Jain in India live here. Though founded by a Muslim sultan Ahmed shah in 1411, Ahmedabad has more Jain temples than mosque within its historic city wall. Astonishingly a guide published by the archeological survey of India, entitled 'Ahmedabad' does not mention a single Jain monument. In Gujarat main temples are in Ahmedabad, Patan, Shakeshvia, Palitana, Girnar and Kutch.12 1. Hutheesingh Temple
It is oldest and largest temple in Ahmedabad13. There are about 450 small temples housed in it. Its construction started in vikram samvat 1901 and completed in 1903 costing about 12 lakh Rupees. The carvings on the jharokas are very impressive. There are 52 statues of God and Goddesses and 24 statues of tirthankars on the main gate. The garbhgruh, sabha mandap and puja mandap are beautifully built and eye catching. The main temple is having the metal statue of dharmanath of 15th tirthankar.
Plate No. 8 shows the main entrance door of this temple. Richly carved arc shaped torans can be seen clearly in it. The figures with musical instruments are sitting on the pillars. The columns supporting the balcony have fine and intricate carvings. One can not distinguish if this carving is done on stone or wood.