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શેઠ આ૦ કરની પેઢીને ઇતિહાસ
Although the shrine of Adnath is an imposing edifice, it possesses none of the architectural beauty of the shrines of Aboo, either in form of material. The sanctum is a large square chamber, with a vaulted roof; a SOWA-MUNDUFF, or external vestibul, likewise vaulted. The statue of the god, of colossal size, is of pure white marble, and in the usual sitting, contemplative postur, the hands and legs crossed (p. 285). ... ... On particular festivals, immense bodies of pilgrims pour into the peninsula from every part of India. These congregations are termed SUNGS, and sometimes amount to twenty thousands. (p. 296).
-Travels In Western India.
34. Street after street, and square after square extend these shrines of
the Jaina faith, with their stately enclosures, half palace, half fortrees, raised in marble magnificence, upon the lonely and majestic mountain, and, like mansions of another world, far removed in upper air from the ordinary tread of mortals. In the dark recesses of each temple, one image or more of Adinatha, of Ajita, or of some other of the Tirthankaras, is seated, whose alabaster features, wearing an expression of listless repose, are rendered dimly visible by the faint light shed from silver lamps; incense perfumes the air, and barefooted, with noiseless tread, upon the polished floors, the female votaries, glittering in scarlet and gold, move round and round in circles, chanting forth their monotonous, but not unmelodious, hymns. Satrunjaya indeed might fitly represent one of the fancied hills of eastern romance, the inhabitants of which have been instantaneously changed into marble, but which fairy hands are ever employed upon, burning perfumes, and keeping all clean and brilliant, while fairy voices haunt the air in these voluptuous praises of the Devas. ... ... Shutroonjye is one of the most ancient and most sacred shrines of the Jain religion. It is described as the first of places of pilgrimage, the bridal hall of those who would marry everlasting rest: like our own sacred Iona, it is not destined to be destroyed even at the end of the world,
-Forbes, Ras Mala, Vol. I, pp. 7, 8.
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