પેરણ્ડઢરનાં વસુપૂજ્ય જિન પ્રતિમા

Summary

The second Gujarati article discusses the antiquity and significance of a statue of the Jain Tīrthaṅkara Vasupūjya at Peraṇḍḍhar (or Perandhar) in Kathiawar. The author examines local legends, epigraphic records and stylistic analysis to argue that the image dates to the early medieval period. He describes the statue’s iconographic attributes—four‑armed representation with lotus and citron, serene facial expression and intricate halo—and compares it with other Vasupūjya images from places like Champaner and Girnar. The article recounts how the statue was discovered, its subsequent installation in a temple, and its veneration by local Jain communities. It also explores references in Jain literature to Vasupūjya’s life and miracles, connecting these stories to regional devotional practices. By analysing inscriptional evidence, the author suggests that merchants and local rulers patronised the shrine, making it an important pilgrimage centre. He argues that the stylistic features indicate an early date and that the statue provides insight into the development of Jina iconography in western India. The paper places the Peraṇḍḍhar image within the broader context of Jain art, noting similarities to sculptures at Dilwara and Palitana. It concludes that the statue is a rare survival of an early phase of Vasupūjya worship and underscores its artistic and religious value. The author calls for detailed documentation and conservation to ensure the statue’s preservation for future generations.