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Jaina Architecture and Images of Western India under ...
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Anuśruti. Though it may not be considered as very historical, this Anuśruti as narrated by Devendrasūri puts on record that the sect Sevada (i.e. Svetapata Svetāmbara) was originated at Valabhī in V.E. 136 as per Svetāmbara tradition and that the origin of Kāmbalika sect (Vastradhārī) at Valabhīpura in V.E. 139 (Vīra 609) according to Digambara tradition. Both these references show the importance of Valabhi (i.e. Valabhīpura as main centre of Jainism. This in turn suggests growth of Jaina religion in this region.* Jaina Council at Valabhi
Agama texts, which were collected at Magadha council, are being shattered with the force of circumstances. To collect and collate these scattered Jaina canons, two councils met at Mathurā and Valabhi under the presidentship of Ācārya Skandila and Ācārya Nāgārjuna respectively during the first quarter of the fourth century A.D. These written texts were known as Māthuri-vācanā or Skändili-vācāna and Välabhi or Nāgārjuni-vācanā. Thus by collecting, collating and editing these Jaina canons western India had contributed much in reviving the tradition of Āgama literature. The date of Vālabhi-vācanā most acceptable would be Vīra Nirvāṇa 827 (or 840) i.e. either in 300 or 313 A.D. Since most of these texts follow both. Valabhi is particularly noteworthy, and in turn shed more light on the spread and popularity of Jaina faith in western India under the western kșatrapa rule. Archaeological Source
We can from the foregoing discussion, certainly say that the Jaina religion did exist on firm footing in western India during the early centuries after Christ. Unlike Literary works and religious activities, the archaeological evidences are not much. So far as the art and architecture of the western India are concerned a few surviving Jaina structures and some images of Jaina Tīrtharkaras are available. We now take stock of these archaeological sources. Sāņā caves
These are nearly 62 caves spread as bee-hive on the hill of Sāņā near Una on the bank of river Rupeņa in Junagadh district of
