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Foreword
Kumbhariya is one of the more notable among the extant Svetambara Jaina tirthas in western India. It is now becoming famous for the spectacular interiors of its Jaina marble temples. They, in fact, are the sparkling little gems among Indian temples. As such, they occupy a front-ranking position in the 'High Medieval' western Indian temple architecture. A comprehensive and an authentic monograph covering all its aspects-site's and temples' history, inscriptions, buildings and their descriptions supported by relevant drawings including floor-plans and photo-illustrations, the critical estimation and evaluation of the art of its architecture and sculpture, as also the temples' special contributions was a desideratum. To our satisfaction, all these aspects have been given due justice in this monograph. What is more, the opening chapter delineates the detailed historical, socio-religious and cultural perspective of Jainism in Gujarat, from its advent in the Mauryan period to the late Solanki period, as a prelude to the building of the Kumbhāriyā temples in the medieval period. Such a quick but comprehensive historical account never has been given by earlier historians of Gujarat.
For the past eight decades, the administration and maintenance of Kumbhāriya's Jaina ensemble of temples is in the care of Sheth Anandji Kalyanji, Ahmedabad. The clearance of the site and renovation of the temples were initiated by Sheth Kasturbhai Lalbhai, the foundation's former Chairman. Efforts, moreover, are continually made to develop the site. Improved lodging and boarding facilities are now available on the site to the visiting pilgrims.
A systematically prepared and profusely illustrated monograph jointly authored by Prof. M.A. Dhaky and Dr. U.S. Moorti of the American Institute of Indian Studies, New Delhi, on the temples of this relatively less famous site is now before the scholars and students of Indian temple architecture as well as
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