KUiyiBHARIA - THE LOCUS

Kumbharia is a small sleepy place nestling in the ridges of Aravallis as they terminate towards the south. Apart from the natural beauty that its location endows upon it, the Jaina shrines located there make it attractive and important. Culturally too the region is significant. This is the region where the two cultures Gujarati and Rajasthani meet and mingle. And Kumbharia, is in a manner of speaking, presided over by yet another trend-. It is this location, this openness to intermingling that makes the temples of Kumbharia interesting.

There is a fourth dimension as well. The region comprising of (Abu Road) and Kumbharia was known as Arasana in medieval times. This name is obviously derived from the huge marble hills in which it abounds. 'Aras' is the name by which marble is known in Gujarati. This stone w^is exported from here and almost every struc- ture of note here is built of marble-it being the locally available stone. Mythological literature offers a number of explanations regarding the origin of the name but most of them are far-fetched and there is no reason why the most logical derivation from geographical and geological peculiari- ties should be set aside. So it is a 'Land of marble' - Arasana. Fig. 1 Kumbharia, called Arasana as stated above, lies in the modem Banaskantha district of . It is situated about 22 km. southeast of Abu Railway station on the - section of the Western Railway. From Abu Road this distance of 22 km. can be covered up by buses, taxis which ply' between Abu Road Ambaji and Ambaji Koteswar via Kumbharia temples. A trevellar on foot from Abu Road to Kumbharia comes across the Teliya river and the villages of Siwad Surpagala and Pathan Ghowki.

The earliest historical reference comes from the times of the Solanki ruler Bhim I (l027 A.D.). An inscription of Vimal's temple, obviously executed after the temple was built is dated A.D. 1032 (V.S., 1088). As it took at least five years to build the temple, the construction must have been started in about 1027 A.D. The region of Arasana formed part of the Solanki empire. The history of this region prior to this date is shrouded in ignorance and mythological literature, most of it coming, from the Jainas. It presents numerous legends taking back the antiquity (Majumdar, A.K., 1964, 49) of Arasana to hoary times and linking it up with numerous deities and individuals, All these at best tell us what later authors and followers of the sect thought of what history had to be and not what 6

history as it happend, history properly so-called.

However, the picture is not as dismal as it woiold appear to be. For a large number of inscriptions are to be found in the temples of Kumbharia and most of them are dated. These enable us to present a fair chronological sequence of the various events in the tectonic life of Kumbharia. They are presented below. TABULATED INFORMATION FROM THE INSCRIPTIONS IN THE VARIOUS TEMPLES - KUMBHARIA

M^VIRA TEMPLE

Date Location Donor Acarya

Image of A.D 1061 Mulanayaka ()

V.S. 1140 Image of Sarvadeva (Son A.D. 1083 Adinatha of Saranadeva and Pahini), brother of Dhanda, Thatika and Jindaka.

V.S. 1142 Image of Sravika Pahini_ A.D. 1085 Sambhava- (daughter of nStha Pradyumna and Sajani, wife of Varanadeva and mother of Bhandaga- rika Jinduka). 8

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1142 Image of Sravika Jinadevi A. D. 1085 Abhinandan- (daughter of natha Varanadeva and Pahini, wife of Paruvana and mother of Jajjadeva etc.)

V.S. 1142 Image of Sravika Jasavati A.D. 1085 Suparsva- (the second wife natha of Jindaka, mother of Rambha)

V.S. 1142 Image of Sri Vaccha (Vatsa) A.D. 1085 Neminatha along with wife Jasavai and son Sri Vaccha (the senior Sri Vaccha had another wife Sampuma and had two sons from her 9

Date Location Donor Acarya

vi z. Dhanadeva and Nanaka

V.S. 1145 Image of Jayasiri (JayasVi), A.D. 1088 Anantanl- (the son of Viruka tha and Dulahi; Viruka was the son of Durlabha and Laksna and Durla- bha in turn was "tiie son of Sresthi Yash and his wife Najini,) From Chaddavali

V.S. 1146 Some Salin (the son A.D. 1089 Image. of Dhanadeva and Yasnomati, the son of Purna belonging to the caste (?) of Pragvata (Por- wad or Porwal) 1ft

Date Location Etonor Acarya

V.S. 1147 Image of Puma (the son sk A.D. 1090 Kunthu- of Yashonaga and Hatanga- natha Jasadi belonging Suri to the 'Dharkkata' race/Family.

V.S. 1147 Image of Sulocana or A.D. 1090 Santinatha Shobhana (great- (?) daughter-in-law or daughter-in-law) of Sresthi Thollaka belonging to the Porwada family and resident of Hudapadra.

V.S. 1176 Image of Sravika Rajala A.D. 1119 Ajitnatha (with the help of Padma- son Jasiga and devasuri. daughter Nanuya) 11

Date Location Donor

V.S. 1176 Kayotsarga Sravika Rajala Sri A.D. 1119 image of (with the help of Padma- Santinatha son Jasiga and devasuri, daughter Nanuya)

V.S. 1223 Pillar in A number of people like Sresthi Nemi A.D. 1166 "the temple « m and his wife Mohini, their son Viradeva and his wife Punadevi and son Jasadu etc.

circa in a niche 3rl Kakudacarya in the established an image garbhgrha of I'lahavira under instructions of Maharajadhiraja / Sri Kumarapala-

deva 22

Date Location "Donor Acharya

V.S. 1675 Image of Nania (son of Sri Vijayadeva- A.D. I6I8 Mahavira Gava and wife suri, disciple Gor6.de, grand- of Sri Vijaya- son of Ahiya senasuri and wife Tejalade) disciple of and his son Somaoi Sri Hiravijaya- from his wife suri, all of Namalde; belong- the 'Tapagaccha', ing to the Sri Ukesa family (or race) and Vrddhasakha

Vora Damavade, the governor PARSVAMATHA T£I^L£

Date Location Donor Acarya

V..S. 1161 Image of Kesava, Osari, A.D. 1104 Rsbhanatha iJrikava, Srivaccha, Duddhaka etc. From Jathadesha and Tharapadragaccha.

V.S. 1216 Niche in VIra and Puna, Sri Devacarya, A.D. 1159 the left the sons of disciple of / _ side wall, Sresthi Pasadeva Sri Nemichandra- donated / _ carya. image of Sri Parsvanatha

V.S. 1216 Niche in the Puna (son of Devacarya, A.D. 1159 rangamandapa;Pasadeva, for disciple of Image of his brother Sri Hemlcandra- Parsvanatha J ehada) carya 14

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.ii. 1259 Fourth Sresth• •i Manihai Sri A.D. 1202 niche, the and Salakhana - image of (Sulaksna?), ghosasurl, VasupxjJ,ya daughters of Bahudeva

V.S. 1259 Fifteenth Sri Laksnudhara, sk A.D. 1202 niche, (son of Thakkur Dhanaaghosa- the image Asu belonging to sun. of Sreyam- the Kayatha sanatha caste)

circa (Surasambhu, the provincial gover- ner of Arasana under Sridharavars- deva)

V.S. 1259 Sixteenth Santanaga, (the sk

A.D. 1202 niche, the son of Sresth• •i Dharma- image of kukar) ghosasuri sk Sitalnatha 15

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.3. 1259 Seventeenth Punaka, (son of S'rl A.D. 1202 niche, image Asadeva) Dharma- of 3rl ghosasurl Suvidhinatha

V.5. 1259 Eighteenth Mahant Ahad (son Sun A.D. 1202 niche, the of Sresthi Savad image of Sri Candra- prabhanatha

V.S. 1259 Nineteenth Asadhara (tra- Sri Dharma- A.D, 1202 niche, the ders) (son of Sala- ghosasuri image of khana son of Sri Supar- Sresthi Savad). svanStha

V.S. 1259 Twentieth Sresthi Sajjan Sri A.D. 1202 niche, (for Sresthi Suh- Dharma- / ava, daughter of ghosasuri Sri Padma- Vani, daughter of prabhanStha Jasavira image. 16

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1259 Twenty- Siresthi Saooan, /rl A.D. 1202 first niche, (the son of Dhamaghosa- the image of Kuma r) (humble surl. Sri Sumati- disciple of riStha. r^ahant Bahada)

V.S. 1259 Twenty- Rahuda (son of Sri Suri, A.D. 1202 second niche Sresthi Srikmar with torana and his wife Abhinandan- Laks'mi; Srikmar natha image being the son of Sresthi Gohad.

V.S. 1259 IVenty third Sresthi Sajjan, SQrl (?) A.D. 1202 niche, image (son of Srikumar of Sambhav- son of Sresthi natha Gohad)

V.S. 1259 Image of bri baooan (son Sri Dharraa- A.D. 1202 Sumati- of Sri Kumar) ghosasuri riatha (during the reign

of Mandalika ^rsarnbhu) 17

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S/ 1259 Image of Sresth• • i Manibhadr• a S-rl Dharma A.D. 1202 Vasupuoya (son of Bahudeva) ghosasuri for Saiaksna.

V.S. 1259 Image of Sresthi Sajjan Surl (?) A.D. 1202 Sambhava- (grandson of natha Sresthi Gohad) for his father Sresthi Kijmara

V.S. 1276 Image of Sresthi Sajjan Sri Sxjmatinatha (son of Kxamara) Padma- in the (or the Brhadgaccha)ghosasuri pradaksana (while Sursambhu, / ^ mandalika of Dharavarsadeva was ruling) V.S. 1276 Image of Puna (son of ...Surl A.D. 1219 Suvidhi- Asadeva) natha in the pradaksana ir

Date? Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1276 Image Sresthi Asadhara 3ri

I / A.D. 1219 of Muni- {son of Sresth• •i Dharmaghoj suvrata- Salakhana) surl. na tha

V.S. 1675 Wulana- Nanaji (son of 3rT Vijayadeva- A.D. 1618 yaka Rahia and Champa- surl disciple of image Ide who were the Vijayasenasuri son and daughter disciple of in law of Jagadu Hira Vijayasurl; / _ and his wife of the Sritapa- Jamana) and his wife Navarangade.

(Dama as governor)

V.S. 1675 Tenth Jayataka (son of A.D. 1618 niche Sresthi Devacandra and his wife Malhi 1»

S8MHJ

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1087 Image in bri Saravadevasuri A.D. 1030 the first (of the Nannacarya- Devakulika gaccha) (during the reign of Sri Bhimadeva)

V.S. 1110 Image in Sresthi Sohija A.D. 1053 the third (of the Nannacarya DevaKulika gaccha) of Abhinan- dannatha

V.S. 1110 Image of Sravaka Salakha A.D. 1053 Sambhax- (the son of Saha- natha deva)(of the Nanna- caryagaccha)

V.S. 113a E'i^th Mahattama (son

A.D. 1081 Devakulika of sl-esth• •i image of Jindaka) ^antinatha 20

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.ii. 1138 Image of Nandi (stha?) A.D. 1081 fifrl - (son of Sresthi prabhadeva Sahadeva)

V.3. 1138 A niche, Vanadeva A.D. 1081 image of IMeminatha

V.S. 1138 Cornice of Sravaka Sahadeva A.D. 1081 second (son of Puhadeva niche, and Maddika) image of Suvidhi- nStha

V.o. 1138 Cornice Sohan along with A.D. 1081 of fifth Somadeva (bom devaku- offsprings of lika Dedaka and Qiaina) n

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1138 Cornice Sravaka Jasaka A.D. 1081 of sixth. with Drother Devanga niche, Csons of Viraka image of and Sahalika) Vimalnatha

V.S. 1138 Image of Sravaka Vfraka A.D. 1081 Sreyarasa- (son of Vallabhadevi) natha

V.S. 1138 Image of The brother of A.D. 1081 Sitalnatha Somadeva (sons of Sundan) name not mentioned,

V.S. 1138 Image of Sravaka Sahadeva A.D. 1081 Suvidhi- (son of Pahadeva natha and Mandaka)

V.S. 1138 Image of Sr5yaka Jasaga, A.D. 1081 Sri Vimal- his brother (sons natha of Viraka and Salahika) 22

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.3. 1138 An image Sravaka Pahada A.D. 1081 of (for his wife" Muni Vasuvati and son Suvrata Sandhi rana) belonging to the Pragvata (Porwada) caste.

V.S. 1145 DhanadevI, with A.D. 1088 ^ tlrthan- Silamati, Sathi, kara Dehari (daughters of Pahini and Duriabnadeiri, of the Porwada caste.

V.S. 1145 Image of Santikar (son of A.D. 1088 Ajitnatha Sresthi Naigaj) in the (of Porwad caste) second niche Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1145 Fourth Ponaka (the son A.D. 1088 niche, of Sravaka image of SintakaXof Rsabha- Porv/ad caste) deva

V.3. 1145 Image of Jasika (wife of A.D. 1088 Adideva Dhanadeva)

V.S. 1146 Image of Pa sh ra vaka

A.D. 1089 Eadwanatha Sao0an

V.3. 1146 Image of Sravaka Pohadi A.D. 1089 Mahavira and brother Viraka (sons of Puranadeva and Bnolika)

V.S. 1148 Image of Sajjan (son of sk A.D. 1091 Pars'va- Santuka) Sarvadeva- natha (s'ri Vatapala- surl Sadgaccha) 24

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.3. 1148 Sixth Sajjan, Nemikumar, A.D. 1091 Devakulika Sarvadeva, Jasak, and Durlabh, (all descendants of Ajit and Pochiratha, the sons of Gosthika (narrator or story- teller?) Jasaka (from 'dricadda- vali = Candravati).

V.S. 1266 On the Sresthi Jaksadeva, S^l A.D. 1209 Astapa- Bopadeva, Vastiga, Dharma- da frieze BopadevaC?) Soma ghosasuBt (sons of_? and Padmini) of the Ponvad caste

V.3. 13-4 Mulana- Wife of Viracandra A.D. ? yaka image 2$

NMINATKA TMBLE

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1191 An image Sresthi Chhehad Sri A.D. 1134 of ? Vijaya- simhasurl of the Sri Devacaryaga- ccha.

V.S. 1204 On a A.D. 1147 niche image of Sri Santi- natha

V.S. 1204 Image of Sravaka Risideva, Sri Cakre- A.D. 1147 sinti- ' (son of Sresthi svarasurl natha Sahadeva) resident CSrisamvigna- of Vatatirth and vihaji of iTrl belonging to the Vardhamanasuri Porwad caste. of the Sri Candra Brhadgaccha) 26

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1204 Image of Paramasravaka Sri Vijaysimha A.D. 1147 Santinatha Dhaika v/ith son Suri, disciple Dadu (Dhaika of Sri Ajit- being the son of deva Surl. Sresthi Puna.)

V.S. 1205 Image of Devacandra with Sri Jina- A.D. 1148 Rsabha- sons Amba and bhadrasuri natha vira (Devacandra disciple of being the son of Sri Abhayadeva- Sresthi ) surl of the belonging to the Brhadgaccha Porwad caste and resident of, Nitoda

V.S. 1205 Image of Srxvaccha and Sri Jinabhadra- / A.D. 1148 Parsva- suri disciple of brother Srldhara nStha Sri Abhayadeva- (sons of Sresthi suri disciple of Sohika) belong- Buddhisagar- ing to the Porwad suri. caste) 27

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1206 Image of Sri Kakudacarya A.D. 1149 Parsva- under instiructions natha from Srisangha and Sri Kiimara- pala.

V.S. 1206 Image of Pa rama sravaka Sri Vijaya- A.D. 1149 Parsva- Uddha (son of iiifihasui?r di sci- natha Sresthi pie of SrT Sahajiga) AjitdevasurT.

V.S. 1208 Image of Sresth* • i Pahad (son Srr Chkresvar- A.D. 1151 Neminatha of Sresthi Putiga) suri disciple of / belonging to the Sri Vardhaman- Porvad caste suri of the Brhadgaccha

V.S. 1214 On Kayot- Sresth• •i Kulacandra Sri Cakresvar- A.D. 1157 sarga of the Porv/ad suri disciple of images. caste and from Vardhamansuri Nandigrama and Sri Parama- nandasurl. (of Brahadgaccha*) 2%

Date Location Donor Acarya

/ V.S. 1214 Another Sresthi Kulacandra Sri Cakre-

A.D. 1157 image of of the Porwad svarsuri Kayot- caste and disciple of sarga from Nandigram Sri Vardha- mansurl and SrT Parama- nandasuri of

the Brhad« - gaccha. v.s. 1236 Parsva- Sravaka Sri Jina- A.D. 1179 natha Asadeva with bhadrasuiu Limbadeva and Sri and Asapala. Dhanesvar- suri disciple of Srr

A'bhaydeva suri of the Brhadgaccha. 2A

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1259 Image of Parsvacafidra A.D. 1202 Parsvana- (son of Sresthi tha Yashpala)

V.S. 1310 A frieze A number of Sri Parama- A.D. 1253 of 170 Sresthis belong- nandasuri Jinas ing to the Por//ad disciple of caste with Sri Hari- their families. bhadrasuri disciple of Sri Ratna- prabhasurl disciple of Sri sinti- prabhasuri disciple of Sri Jina-

bhadrasuri disciple of f Sri Abhaya- devasuri of the Brhadgaccha. 30

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1310 Pillar in Asapala with Sri fetna- A.D. 1253 the temple Sidhapala and prabhasuri Padmasimha disciple of (sons of (?) Sri Parama- ^resthi Bllhana nandasuri of and wife Rupini) Sri Chandra- belonging to gachha. the Poni^ad caste

V.S. 1310 Satta- Sri ParamanandasurT / A.D. 1253 risa- Sri Haribhadrasuri yafitraka Sri Santiprabhasuri Sri Jinabhadrasufi Sri Abhayadevasuri of the Brhadgaccha.

V.S. 1314 Kayot- Some Sresthis and Sri Parama- A.D. 1257 sarga their wives belong- nandsuri disciple images ing to the Porwad of Sri Hari- of AJit- caste. bhadrasuri natha discipie of Sri Santisuri of the Brhadgaccha 31

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1314 Image of Some iireshthis Sri Parama- A.D. 1257 Adinatha and. their fami- nandsurX lies belonging disciple of to the Porwad SrT Ratna- baste pirabhasuri disciple of Sri SSnti- praohasurT of the Brhajigaccha

V.S. 1314 Kayotsa- Some Sreshthi* s SrT Parama- A.D. 1257 rga and their fami- nandsuri images. lies belonging disciple of to the Porwad Sri Ratna- caste praohasuri disciple of Srf Santi- prabhasurl of

the Brhadgaccha 32

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.3. 1323 In a Some oresthi• 9 s Paramandy^da A.D. 1266 niche in of the Por- disciple of the ranga wad caste mandapa disciple of Ratnaprabha disciple of San tip rabha su r i / of Sri Chandragaccha

V.S. 1327 Image of Sresth• •i A.D. 1270 ParsWatha virachand resident of Nahanakar.

V.S. 1335 Image of Some Sresthi• • s Paramanda.da A.D. 1278 Ajitnatha of the disciple of Porwad caste Haribhadrasuri of the Brhadgaccha. 33

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.3. 1335 Image of 3re(?) Crihada Paramandasuri A.D. 1278 Suparsva- (of the Porv/ad disciple of natha caste and Tha- Ha ri bha d ra su ri kkar family) of Brkadgaccha, along with his family members

V.S. 1335 Image Gahgadeva (son A.D. 1278 of of Sresthi Shri- Parsva- dhar and wife natha Sohini, along with relatives) belong- ing to the Porwad caste

V.S. 1335 Image Family of Vardhaman A.D. 1278 of Rsabha- Sodhal disciple of

deva Sricandra disciple of Vijayasimhasuri of Brhadggccha. 3«

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1335 Adinatha Offsprings of Vardhaman A.D. 1278 image Sresthi Amiga disciple of (belonging to Somaprabha the Porwad disciple of caste) Cakresvarasuri (belonging to Sri Mahadagaccha)

V.o. 1335 Paramandsuri Niche in S^vika Khetu A A.D. 1278 the (grand daughter disciple of garbha- of Sresthi Gosala) Haribhadrasuri grha, belonging to the Candra- Porv/ad caste. prabhanatha

V.S. 1335 Niche in Sravika Anupam Paramanand A.D. 1278 garbha- (daughter-in-law grha, of Sresttii Vayaja) Muni- of the Porv/ad caste suvrata 35

Date Location Donor Acarya

^ dtV*. V.S. 1335 Image Relatives of Paramandsuri A.D. 1278 of Ajita- Sresthi Soma disciple of natha of the Haribhadrasuri Ponvad caste of Brhadgaccha

V.3. 1335 Image of Sohada son of Vardhamansurl A.D. 1278 Silnti- Mohini from the natha town of Candravati

V.S. 1336 An Asala and his Vardhamansuri A.D. 1279 image sons and family disciple of Somaprabha- suri.

V.S. 1338 Devakulika Some Sresth• •i of On the advice / A.D. 1281 the Por-t^ad of Sri for Sri caste Paramananda- Vasupujya suri. 3&

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1338 A Frieze in Asapala with Vardhamansuiu A.D. 1281 the gudha- his family disciple of mafi^apa members, or the SomaprabhasurT (Saraalika- Porwad caste disciple of vihartirtha) Jayasimhasuri disciple of Cakresvarsurl

V.S. 1338 Image of Sresth• •i Shubhan- Devendrasuri A.D. 1281 Candraprabha- kar and his family disciple of natha of the PorAfad Kanakprabha- caste suri

V.S. 1338 Devakulika Relatives and Paramandsuri A.D. 1281 for Vasu- descendants disciple of

pujya of Sresth«• i Haribhadrasurl Saranadeva of disciple of the Pon\rad Ra tnap rabha su r i caste Date Location Donor Scarya

V.S. 1338 Wall of Meha and his Va rdhamansurl A.D. 1281 the temple b r o th e r s ,(g rand- disciple ^of dedication of sons of Sresthi Semap rabha su r1 Santinatha Asal and his disciple of image wife Mandodari) Cakresvarasuri of the Brhadgaccha

V.S. 1343 Image of Paramandsurl Descendants of A A.jJ. 1286 Neminatha Sresth• •i Mahilla disciple of of the Porwad Haribhadrasuri caste

V.S. 1343 Kayotsarga Pescendarwlbf A.D. 1286 images in Sresthi Desala mukhaman- (and ) of dapa the Ponifad caste 38

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1344 Image of cJresthi Vastu- Candrap ra^Jha suri A.D. 1287 Rsabha- pala and his disciple of natha family (descen- Abhayadevasuri dents of Desala and Delhi) of the Porwad caste

V.S. 1344 Pillar in Sresth• •i Shridhar A.D. 1287 the temple and his son a grant of Gangadeva 120 'dramm's for worship

V.S. 1351 Image of 'Kosthagarika' Asal Viraprabha^ri A.D. 1294 Cahdra- with brothers (sons disciple of p rabhanatha of Kg, Srivankumar) Paramandasuri A residents of Posina

V.S. 1355 Image of Sre§thi Sakha (and Bhavadevasuri A.D. 1298 Parsvanatha relatives) belong- ing to the Porwad caste 31-

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1355 Image of SHu, wife of Va rdhaman su ri

A.D. 1298 Adinatha Sresth• « i Gala disciple of Cand relatives) Somaprabha y.S. 1396 Image of Bhimasimha and Jinabhadrasurl A.D. 1329 Rsabhanatha Abhayasimha of the Rudra- (sons of Ma. palliyagaccha. limba) of the Porwad caste

Y.S.1389 Image of Sri Veda etc. and A.D.1332 Neminatha Duda of the Porv/ad caste and residents of Posina

V.S. 1389 Image of Karmana, his wife Sri Sirisuri A.D. 1332 Parsvanatha and relatives, of the Porwad caste, resi- dents of Rohid, 40

'h 700 3

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.3. 1391 Image of Sresthi Nagad, Bhavadevasurl A.D. 1334 _ ^antinatha his wife Sau and disciple of relatives, of Vijayacahdra- the Por/^ad suri of the caste Brhadgaccha

V.3. 1394 Image of Cakam, his wife Ratnakarsuri A.D. 1337 Parsvanatha Hansadevi and relatives.

V.3. 1526 Un a Sridhar, son of A.D. 1469 pillar Mahant Puja (of the Gurjar caste) -and resident of Pattan.

V.3. 1675 Image of ? Of the Yrddhasajja- Vijayadevasuri A.D. 16I8 Mulanayaka niya branch of disciple of i.e. iMemi- Okesa caste while Vi j ay a s ena su ri natha. Vora was the disciple of govemer Hi ravi jayasurl (honoured by Akbar with the title Jagadguru) 41

Date Location Donor Acarya

V.S. 1675 Image of Ranga, wife Vijayadevasurl A.D. 1618 Adinatha Kilari etc. disciple of of the Srimala V i j aya sona sti ri caste and Vrddha of the sakha Tapagaccha

v.s. 1675 Image of Sresthi vaccha Vijayadevasurl

A.D. I6I8 mulanayaka (of the Vrddhasajja- disciple of i.e. niya branch of Vijayasonasuri iMeminatha Okesha caste) disciple of Hi ra vi j aya su ri An analysis of the information contained in the inscriptions give some interesting glimpses into the phenomenon known as 'Kumbharia'.

The first and foremost, but negative piece is, that there is no epigraphic record regarding the building or temples. • None of the inscriptions refer to it nor to those who built the temples nor when. Mythological litera- ture of a much later date preserves garious accounts (Shrl Vishalvijayaji, 1951, 18-21) but none is supported by independent evidence of any sort. All the inscriptions speak only of the dedication of images, in a few cases of toranas, devakulikas or niches. Some of the images might have been shifted from one to the other temple as evidenced by the image-inscription in the Santinatha temple dated V.S. 1087 i.e. 1030 A.D. (Sri Vishalvijayaji, 1951, 139).

The second point of note is the relatively limited patronage these temples have received. The donors are from half a dozen places and a majority of them belong to the Porwad caste. The places mentioned in these inscrip- tions are : Arasana, , Hudapadra, Nithodak (iMadol), Nandigram, Padaparagram, fattan, Posin or Poshapur and Vatatirth. All these are within a radius of twentyfive 43

miles or so from K-umbharia - of course barring Pattan. The castes or the donors that occur in the inscriptions are 'Pragvat? = perwad, Okesha or Ukesha, Srimala Kayastha and Dharkatta. Some of the donors are termed 'Vrddhasajaaniya' or belonging to the 'Vrddhasakha' of a particular caste. Of the 42 references to caste, 35 are to the Pon/ads. This caste seems to be the chief patton of Kumbharia. This pattern is valid for all the five centuries over which the epigraphs are spread. Profession- wise almost all are traders or money-lenders.

Sectwise analysis shows that the priests or acaryas who performed the installation cerimonies or on whose advise the donations were made belong to the Brhadgaccha, Mahadgaccha, Tapagaccha, Candragaccha and Rudrapalliya- gaccha. Of the 22 mentions of , 10 refer to the Brhadgaccha, the rest ocurring hardly a couple of times.

Although the temples have kept in tune with (sometimes led the path) the architectural and artistic trends current in the region, it is apparent the preferences of the patrons played a role - as yet unrecognised - in the development of these temples.