कुन्दकुन्दाचार्या अतिशय क्षेत्र नसियाँ जी बाराँ राजस्थान
Although Jainism has been deep rooted in Indian civilization; widespread in all provinces of Indian Territory but history of Jainism can’t be completed without illustration of Rajasthan province in the frame of Jainism.
Royal Rajputana has been already renowned for its sacrifices, struggle, gallantry, valour and patriotism since ancient time of Indian history but in this essay we are only confined to a Jain pilgrimage center named Baran.
Hadauti area of Rajasthan province contains Kota, Baran, Jhalawar and Bundi districts. These districts are assimilated and named as Hadauti area. The region has been center of Jainism and rendered many Jain Pilgrimage center like Chandkheri, Jhalarapatan, Keshoraipatan, Kota, Baran, Bundi, Atru, Shergarh , Ramgarh and Krishnavilas.
Some of above stated Jain centers of Hadauti are remarkable today and have been developed as full pilgrimage centers and some of them are dilapidated and ruined in the cruel hands of time.
Baran:-
Baran is a district headquarter of Rajasthan which was a part of Kota district earlier. In 1991 the new district was formed and it’s headquarter is Baran city.
The place is situated about 83 Kilometers in East from Kota district headquarter and it is about 48 Kilometers from Chandkheri Jain pilgrimage center in North East directions. There are mainly two Jain temples which are renowned. These are Nasiyan temple and Jodla temple which is consecrated in 17th century.
Shantinath Digambar Jain temple Nasiyan :-
Shree Shantinath digambar Jain temple Nasiya is situated in eastward direction of Baran on Shahabaad road from N.H. 76. The place is about 3 Kilometers inside from N.H. 76.
The Jain temple is situated at outskirt of Baran city and situated at very peaceful and secluded place. The complete premise is covered with green trees and we are welcomed by an entry gate which informs us that the place is an Atishay Kshetra governed by Khandelwal Digamber Jain community of Baran.
The entry gate leads us to main premise of the Nasiya temple which is very alluring and peaceful. An erected Maanstambh about 18-20 feet high is situated in front of the main gate of the temple which is generally found in front of Jain Shrine. Jina sculptures are installed in all four directions in Padmasana posture. The Maanstambh is a symbol to demolish Ego of a person before going to Jinendra darshan.
Flying of some 15-16 stairs leads us to main Jain temple. The portion of stairs is covered with huge doorway which is artistically coloured in red and lights fall on its wall make it wonderful in night.
A vedi is situated in front of the main gate of temple which contains an ancient padmasana meditating sculpture of Neminatha. The sculpture has about 4 feet height and sculpted by sandy red stone. From the artistic attributes it can be concluded that sculpture is from later medieval era.
In the porch of the temple some ancient sculptures along with ancient Nishadhi and herostones are kept. These hero stones are in five numbers and some of them are inscribed with Jain images in Kayotsarga posture and Padmasana posture along with Inscriptions.
The padmasan Jina sculpture kept here is about 4 feet high and a perfect specimen of later Parmara era art. The image is decorated with torana, celestial god-goddess, Triple canopies; Simahasana, Halo and whisk bearers. The image should be hailed from Shergarh or Ramgarh which are also situated in the same districts.
Antiquities installed and kept in this temple are generally hailed from Shergarh or Ramgarh places and they were taken here by Jain community of Baran as they are retrieved from earth or found at ruined Jain temples of above said places.
The main attraction of the temple is monolithic ancient sculpture of Lord Shanti Jina which is depicted in Khadagasan kayotsarga posture. The image is a perfect specimen of later Parmara art of medieval period. Lord Shanti Jina’s image has about 8-9 feet height and decorated with celestial musicians, whisk bearers, anointing elephants and triple canopies. The sculpture has tranquility and serenity on face.
An ancient sarvatobhadra sculpture which contains 4 Jina images in all direction is also installed in a vedi. The Jina image are delineated in kayotsarga direction where as the image is decorated with other padmasana Jina images, Yaksh-Yakshini sculptures, whisk bearers and celestial musicians.
A classic specimen of medieval art is a teerthankar sculpture which is installed in the temple. The sculpture has benign expression on face and completely depicted with regulation of Jaina canons. Perhaps the image is of 16th Lord Shantinatha.
History of Baran :-
Jainism has been prevalent in this region since ancient time and the fact is well attested by historians and archaeologists. Acharya Maghchandra II shifted Mul sangha seat to Baran from Ujjain in 1083 AD and he was 53rd pontificate of Mula samgha. Down to the 63rd or 64th pontificates were held at Baran. From here 14 pontificates were held at Gwalior. The fact is evident by pattavalis of Mulasamgha.
Jain ascetic named Padmanandi composed his work named as “Jambudweep Pannatti” at Baran. From this work it can be concluded that Baran was once governed by a sovereign named Shakti who was religious and liberal king. The city contained a mass population of Jains and numerous Jain temples.
Jainism cherished in Baran region under devotion of Khandelwal Jain laymen who contributed to Jainism greatly. Baran has another famous Jain temple which is known as Jodla Temple and it was constructed in 17th century AD.
Shergarh which is anciently known as Koshvardhan was plundered by Shershah suri and changed its name on his name. It was renowned as a Jain center in medieval period. Some inscriptions were found from this place tells us that the place was Jain center during 8th to 13th centuries AD.
Under reign of Parmara king Narvarman a celebration was held honoring Lord Neminatha at Shergarh during 12th century and it is attested by an inscription of 1134 AD from Shergarh.
Three monolith Jina sculptures were installed by a Rajput Cheiftain named as devpala at Shergarh in 11th century.
In Baran region; two ancient caves of 8-9th century AD of Jaina creed are situated at 5-6 kilometers from Ramgarh. The place anciently known as Shrinagar is secluded and covered by hills and forest. It rendered Jaina ascetics a great environment for austere penance and meditation. There are some mutilated Jina sculptures and artifacts of remnant Jain temples. Some of these sculptures are installed at Baran Nasiyan temple and Museum of Kota.
Atru of baran region has also some dilapidated Jain temples of 10th-12th century AD. Archaeological remnants of this place were taken to Kota museum. Krishna vilas which was anciently known as Vilas has some Hindu and Jain temples of 8th to 11th century AD.