Kumarpal
Encyclopedia
Kumarpal was a famous ruler of the Solanki dynasty
of Gujarat at Anahilavada, India. During his reign, Jainism
became prominent in Gujarat. He was a devoted disciple of the great Jain polymath Acharya Hemachandra
. Kumarpal was responsible for restoring ruined Somnath
. He also built several derasar
s, including the temple at Taranga
.
Solanki
The Solanki was a royal Hindu Indian dynasty that ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th to 13th centuries. A number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign them Gurjar origin....
of Gujarat at Anahilavada, India. During his reign, Jainism
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
became prominent in Gujarat. He was a devoted disciple of the great Jain polymath Acharya Hemachandra
Acharya Hemachandra
Acharya Hemachandra was a Jain scholar, poet, and polymath who wrote on grammar, philosophy, prosody, and contemporary history. Noted as a prodigy by his contemporaries, he gained the title Kalikāl Sarvagya "all-knowing of the Kali Yuga"....
. Kumarpal was responsible for restoring ruined Somnath
Somnath
The Somnath Temple located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra, on the western coast of Gujarat, India, is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of the God Shiva. Somnath means "The Protector of Moon God". The Somnath Temple is known as "the Shrine Eternal", having been destroyed...
. He also built several derasar
Derasar
A derasar is a temple for followers of Jainism, except for non-murtipujak Svetambaras. Derasar is a word used in Gujarat, Kutch and parts of Rajasthan, in other parts of India, the term Jain Mandir is used for all the Jain temples. Jain idols of Tirthankaras are worshipped there...
s, including the temple at Taranga
Taranga (Jain Temple)
Taranga is a Svetambara-affiliated Jain temple and pilgrimage center in Mehsana district, Gujarat, India. It was constructed in 1121 by the Solanki king Kumarpal, under the advice of his teacher Acharya Hemachandra. A 2.75 m marble statue of Rishabha is the central idol. The compound consists of 14...
.