3.9. Temples built during the reign of Kumarapala (1144-1173 A.D.)

The Temple of Ambika at Kodinar (Dist. Junagadh). It is said that Siddharaja was a devotee of this goddess. During the reign of Kumarapala this temple is noticed as a site of Jain pilgrimage by Jinprabhasuri (1333 A. D) in his Tirthkalpa and was a well-known Jain shrine during tha Caulukyan period. 150 The temple does not exist at present. * 19.2 Km. North to Porbandar. (Dist. Junagadh ). 146. Somanatha and other Medieval Temples of Kathiawad P. 71 147. A form of devi as may be inferred from Durga Mahatmya in the Markandeya-purana. 148. Sans. Bhattarika, one of the epi hets of Durga. 149. Baroda Archaeological Department 38 p. 5 para 10, 11 and p. 12 para 20. 150. B. G. I, 182 (footnote); Vividha Irthkalpa (edi. Jinavijayaji) p. 107. The temple was in existence in the time of Samarashah of Patan. who worshipped the devi, while taking congregation to Somanatha patan (Jinaviajaya; Jain Aithihasika Gurjara Kavya Samuccya pp. 249-50).

Structural Temples of the Caulukyan Period Saindhavi temple on Mt. Abu 153 Mention of the Saindhavi goddess is found in the Dvyasrya 151 by Hemacandra. It narrates that this goddess was worshipped on a grand scale on Mt. Abu. The temple does not exist at present. Tradition represents Kumarapala as a great builder of Jain temples. From the Dvyasrya however, we learn of two other temples built by Kumarapala; one, which was called Kumaravihara was erected at Anahilapataka, while the other stood at Devapattana, 152 In a passage in the Mahaviracarita mention is made of a big Jain temple erected by Kumarapala near his palace 153 which was probable identical with Kumaravihara mentioned in Dvyashraya In a passage in Mahavira Carita, it is stated that every village was adorned with Jain caitya by Kumarapala. 154 This probably means that he had erected a large number of small public edifices which apparently were not important enough to give separate names, and besides these built a great temple-the Kumaravihara at the capital which Hemacandra describes in detail in Dvyashraya Of the other chronicles, the Prabhavaka Carita, speaks first of all, of the Kumaravihara at Anhilpataka, 155 and then it is stated that the King ordered to be erected thirty two temples (Viharas) as penance for the sins of his teeth, 156 he also erected an image of Neminatha in the temple of his father 151. Dvyashraya XVI, 54. There are sacred sites or shrines dedicated this goddess at several places in Gujarat as for instance at Patan, Karvan, Broach, etc. 152. Dvyashraya XXI. vv. 93-100. 153. Mahavircarita v. 91. 154. Ibid v. 75. 155. Prabhavaka carita XXII, vv 603-609 156. lbid v. 701

154 The Structural Temples of Gujarat Tihunapala (Tribhuvanpala), 157 he then had a temple built on the Satrunjaya mountain; and finally it is stated that Kumarpala adorned all desa-sthanas, that is, the many places in each province, with Jain-caityas. 158 160 The next chronicler, Merutunga credits Kumarapala with erection of 1440 temples distributed all over the country. Besides, this, he states that the king built Musakavihara, Karambha vihara. Yukavihara 159 (probably) all in Anhilapur and Saligavihara (at Cambay), Jholika-vihara (at Dhandhuka ).¹€ Even in the absence of any surviving monument, the literary evidence cannot be brushed aside. For of the three authors quoted above, Hemacandra was a contemporary, and the other two, namely Prabhacandra and Merutunga have indulged in certain exaggerations, when describing the number of temples built by Kumarapala, but we believe that both were fundamentaly right in recording that the King had built a very large number of temples. 181 These references indicate that Kumarapala built a number of Jain temples in Gujarat. 162 The known inscriptions of Kumarapala refer to only to one Jain temple as built by him. 163 157. Ibid. v. 688 158. lbid. vv. 722-26 159. Prabandha Cintamani Tawny, 143, Prabandha Cintamani Jinvijaya 91 160. Prabandha Cintamani Tawny, 133. Prabandha Cintamani Tawny 86 Prabandha Cintamani Tawny 143; Prabandha Cintamani Tawny 91; Prabandha Cintamani Tawny 146; Prabandha Cintamani Tawny 93. Also Buhler; Life of Hemachandra p. 46. 161. Chaulukyas of Gujarat p. 319. 162. It is not unlikely that many of the old temples of unknown origin were popularly ascribed to Kumarapala who was well-known as a great patron of Jainism. 163. It is located near Jabalipura (Jalor in Rajsthan), Jalor Inscription El. XI. 54.

Structural Temples of the Caulukyan Period 155 Of all these temples which ascribed to Kumarapala none have survived. The present tradition points to his erection of certain Jain temples on Satrunjaya, Girnar and Taranga. But these temples are restored frequently and hardly affored any indications of their original form. However, the present form of temples may be given in its main out line. Kumarapala's temple (Kumaravihara) on Satrunjaya Hill (Dist. Bhavnagar )*. It is one of the oldest extant temples on the hill. It is roofed and forms a fine block with low towers. It is dedicated to Adinatha, 1 st Tirthankara. The door is of yellowish stone beautifully carved. The garbhagriha has a beautiful canopy of bluish marble over the head of Rishabhadeva. There is a big hall with niches. 164 Kumarapala's temple (Kumaravihara) on Girnar (Dist. Junagadh )§ It is dedicated to Abhinandana Swami or the 4 th Tirthankera. The temple has a big Sabhamandapa in the walls of which are several 'Devakulikas' containing images of Tirthankeras. It seems there was, at one time, a corridor round the temple.165 It has a long open portico on the west supported by 24 columns. The temple proper i. e. Mandapa and shrine are small and the ceilings and architraves bear marks of iconoclastic violence. Indeed, towards the end of last century there was little of this temple standing except the mandapa with its beautiful pendentive and the pillars and lintels of portico.166 * The temple is kept in such a state of constant repairs that it is difficult to say how much of it belongs to the time of Kumarpala. 164. Jainism in Gujarat pp. 80-81; Somanatha and other Medieval Temples of Kathiawad Plt. XCV. § An inscription of A. D. 1824 shows that it was repaired by Anandaji Kalyanji and Hansaraja Jetha. 165. Antiquities of Kaccha and Kathiawada Plt. xxxiii. 166. Antiquities of Kaccha and Kathiawada p. 168

156 The Structural Temples of Gujarat The temple of Ajitanatha at Taranga Hill (Dist. Mehsana) is said to have been built by Kumarapala, and is dedicated to Ajitanatha, the 2 nd Tirthankara. 166/1 The temple measures about 45.7 x 30.5 ms. inclusive of porches of the mandapa. In the arrangement of the plan it will be noticed that the mandapaa is entered from 3 sides, with porches on the North and South supported by two advanced columns but on the front the porch is greatly enlarged having ten columns. 167 At the main entrance, there are 8 pillars of the biggest size with carving at the bottom as well as at the top. On the North and the South, the entrance is supported by similar two pillars. The temple has a big Gudhamandapa with niches. The central dome is supported on 8 pillars beautifully carved. Eight statues with various musical instruments are represented as standing on the pillars. The shrine consists of a sanctum with its ambulatory and three balconied windows, and a gudhamandapa flanked by porches on either side with the frontal porch. The height of the temple is about 38-6 meters. It has a storied arrangement externally as indicated by repetition of Jangha and other mouldings in the mandovara. 166/1. The temple was repaired in 16 th Cent. A. D. On the wall of the temple there is an inscription recording a restoration in the time of Akabar (E. I. Vol. II. p. 33 f. n. 29) The renovations then carried out to this temple are not of such a nature as to alter the fundamental structure and appearance of the temple. So, as suggested by S. K. Saraswati (Struggle for Empire p. 597), it retains its original form and design to a very great extent. Recently an attempt has been made to retouch the sculptures on mandovara etc. This restoration work, on a large scale, is carried out under the auspices of Sheth Anandji Kalayanji's Pedhi. (Ahmedabad) 167. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat p. 114 Plt. CIX; Here figs. 105, 105/a & 228.

Structural Temples of the Caulukyan Period 157 Outside the temple, there is beautiful carving on the walls. On all sides, there are statues of men and women as well as gods and goddesses, Men are adorned with bracelets, armlets, anklets, an ear-ornaments; some of them are represented with a loin-cloth only. Statues of women are represented in full dress, properly adorned with bracelets, armlet, anklets, necklace and earrings. It is interesting to note that none of them has ornaments for the nose, probably because in those days their use was uncommon. Some images of gods and goddesses are in meditating posture; others are represented as going to the temple with materials for worship. Some of these statues are mutilated, but most of them are well preserved. All these statues are bare-footed.168 Kumarpala's Jain ministers have widely contributed in temple building activity. Udayana or Uda reflecting on the risk of fire in a wooden temple of Adisvara at Satrunjaya determined to rebuild the temple in stone. 169 Before he could. restore it he died (V. S. 1205: A. D. 1149). His two sons Bahada (Vagbhata) and Ambada who were ministers of Kumarapala restored the said temple in V.S. 1211 or 1213 (i.e. A D. 1154-55 or 1156-57). Bahada also founded Vagbhatapura (Bahadpur, now in ruins close to the east of Palitana) at the foot of the hill Satrunjaya. In this city he built a temple of Parsvanatha and called it Tribhuvana Vihara after the Kings (Kumarpalas ) 168. Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat pp. 115. 169. The said temple have been restored and renovated several times. In V. S. 1371 (A. D. 1315) Samarasa of Anhilapur-patan restored the temple and consecreted a new principal image of Mulanayaka i. e. Adisvara. In V. S. 1587 (A. D. 1521) Karmasa restored the said temple again and finally Tejapala Soni of Cambay in V. S. 1650 (A. D. 1594) restored the temple and adorned the temple with the Nandi Vardhana. The inscription recording the restoration by Tejapala Soni exists on one of the pillars of the Rangamndapa. name (Jain Tirtha Sarva Sangraha Vol 1. Pt. I. p 104 )

158 The Structural Temples of Gujarat father.170 Ambada erected a new temple Sakunikavihara at Broach 17 in V. S. 1211 or 1222. The last two temples do not exist at present. At Cambay minister Udayana built the temple known as Udayana Vasahi and minister Aliga built a temple of Adisvara, known as Aligavasahi¹72. Prthavipala, a prime minister of Kumarpala, restored the Vimalavasahi on Mt. Abu. 173 The splendid Rangamandapa was added by him. He also contributed a mandapa to the temple of Pancasara Parsvanatha at Anahilpura.174 The other Jain temples which seem to have been erected during the reign of Kumarapala are as follows: The temple of Parsvanatha at Narsinhaji's pole at Baroda, 775 the temple of Santinatha at Patan, 176 and the Santinatha Prasada at Idar. 177 The inscription, dated V. S. 1202 (A. D. 1146) states that Somaraja, a son of Sahajiga, a Gohil Chief of Sorath, built a temple of Sahajigesvara ( at present known as Jagesvara mahadeva ), at Chorwad* (Saurashtra ).178 170. P. C. (Guj. Tran) p. 220 vv. 67-73; Bombay Gazetter 1, 186; f. n. 4; Jain Tirtha Sarva Sangraha Vol. I. Pt. 1, p. 104. 171. 172. Ibid. vv. 185-187; Jayasimhasuri. 'Kumarpalacarita' VIII, 642; Jinamandana 'Kumarpala prabandha' p. 74 Dungarakavi Khambhayata Caitya Paripati. Jain Satyaprakash. XI, 3, pp. 65-66. 173. Pracina Jain Lekha Samgraha p. 79. 174. Jain Tirtha Sarva Sangraha Vol. I. pt. 1. p. 60. 175. Jayasinhasuri, 'Kumarapalacarita' II vv. 221, $27 176. Peterson's Report on MSS found in Jain Bhandars of Patan, Jain Tirtha Sarva Sangraha Vol. I. Pt. I. p. 57. ' 177. Jinamatisuri, 'Tirthamala (Composed during V. S. 1210-1217 ) Muni Sundarasuri, 'Idarna Rsabhadeva Stavan'. The said temple is recently restored. Jain Tirtha Sarva Sangraha Vol. I. Pt. I. p. 84. * 14.4 km. from Mangrol. 178. V. G. Oza, 'The Sodhivay inscription at Mangrol' Bhavnagar Pracina Sodhasamgrha p. 3.