Arbud Mandal Ki Jain Dhatu Pratimayen & Mandiravali

(Metallic statues and temples of Arbud region).
Authored By : Dr. Sohan Lal Patni
Book Review By Mr. P. L. Jain

Publisher : Seth Kalyan Ji Parmanand Ji Pedhi, Siroh, Rajasthan
Distributor : Ajit Foundation, Shanti Nagar, Sirohi, Rajasthan
Published : May, 2002.
Price : Rs. 100/-

The mountainous region around Mount Abu, a part of the Aravali range in the southern part of Rajasthan, called Arbud region possesses historic as well as pre-historic importance. In vedic religion, this region is said to be the place of worship, austerity, penance and ascetism and a holy place of pilgrimage. In Jain mythology, it is said to be centre of religion, art, culture and historic events. The world-famous Jain temples at Delwara near Mt. Abu are unique examples of Jain architecture and archeology. There are numerous Jain temples in the entire region and rare idols of Tirthankars, Hindu gods and goddesses, writings and inscriptions and carvings on the walls and pillars of the temples are seen in them. A thorough study of these monuments had never been taken up earlier. Dr. Sohan Lal Patni, who hails from the same region and who is a well-known authority on the subject has been honoured with several awards and prizes at state and national levels for the onerous task of carrying out intensive study of all the religious places and monuments, specially those which belong to historic and pre-historic era. He has diligently presented all his findings in this book which has been illustrated with a large number of photographs from Delwara, Bamanwadji, Vasant garh, Mirpur, Chandrawati and Sirohi, specially the ruins of ancient temples, forts and their gates. The study is of course mainly confined to metallic idols, installed in temples or preserved in museums.

The author has classified the entire period oh temple history into three major periods, (i) period prior to 1300 AD, (ii) Period from 1300 to 1700 AD and (iii) Period after 1700 AD. Each period has been described in the books in detail, bringing out its peculiarities, features and styles of statues and their metal composition. The descriptions of historic importance, such movement (vihar) and stoppages and chaturmas of Bhagwan Mahavir passing through this region and other adjoining regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat, temples built in that period in the life time of Bhagwan Mahavir himself and later, names of villages where these temples were built and the names of gachhas and acharyas by whose motivation these were built are all mentioned in the book. The study carried out by the author of the book is commendable and deserves full appreciation.

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