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TULSI-PRAJNA
Sangh-Yatras
Like other religious people, the Jain were fond of pilgrimages visiting various holy sites connected with the life of the Tirthankaras or temples famous for their art and antiquity, We have several epigraphic and literary evidence regarding large congregations of piligrims that used to collect at various shrines in Rajasthan. Someimes no separate epigraph was recorded about the journey but it is included in the achievements of the family. In the Chittor Inscription38 of V E. 1495 (1438 A.D.), and the Jaisalmer inscriptions of the Patavas, such description is given in detail. There are also several small inscriptions bearing the record of individual persons visiting a shrine. In Abu, we have several such small inscriptions from 30 the 15th century AD. to 19th century AD. Most of these inscriptions are in the local dialects. These inscriptions also contain the names of several persons who accompanied a Sangh. From these epigraphs, we can infer the period over which the place where such inscriptions are noticed remained in worship.
Miscellaneous inscriptions :
Kirti Stambhas or the Mana Stambhas were generally erected in front of Jain temples. The earliest epigraphical reference of V.E. 918 (861 A.D.) to such erections is from Mandor and Rohinskup (Distt. Jodhpur). Jain Kirti Stambh of Chittor is one of the most imposing Jain monument of Rajasthan. It was errected by the family of Bagherawa131 Jija and his son Punyasingh.
Another important class of monuments are the Nishedhikās. 32 These were built on the relics of the Digambar Jain ascetics, and serve as Memorials Inscriptions recorded in these Nishedhikas generally contain details concerning to the Sadhus in whose memories these were built. In Rajasthan, we have such inscriptions dating from as early the 10th century A.D. (C) Places of the findings :
Jain inscriptions of the period we are studying are generally to be found in the precinct of Jain temples. The big Prashastis are separately engraved on the stone slabs and preserved in the temple. The inscriptions pertaining to the construction and repair of the Deyakulikas are generally engraved on the Devakulikas themselves. The donations and endowments given for the Jain temples are either recorded on the pillars of temples or in the shape of "surah" inscription. The inscriptions pertaining to pilgrimage are generally engraved on the pillars or walls of the temples. The inscriptions in the
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