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Monks 'Dilemma
Monks' Dilemma
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going from one court to another and is now in the Supreme Court. Earlier during British rule both sects were allotted separate timings for performing worship in their traditional ways and the arrangement is continuing. Recently a new claim has been added by non Jain Vaishanavite community as non jains and tribals are also the devotees. This problem is the creation of jains themselves because they have been employing non Jain Brahmins or others as pujaris."
They did not stay long and left for onward journey and took a longer route via Ranakpur to another famous Jain temple which was in the valley below. They were descending from a higher altitude. The route was through a dense forest. From February March to April- June was flowering time of many species. It was delightful and captivating as most of the tree species were in colourful bloom with variety of flowers in different colours. Butea monosprema (palas) which generally grows gregariously and with its profuse bright red orange large flowers, giving the impression as if the forest has caught fire and that is why it is called 'Flame of forest'. Bombax malabaricum (semal) was conspicuous by its crimson-orange fleshy very large 3" to 6" size flowers.
There were Madhuca latifolia (Mahua) trees dotting the landscape with their edible, very nutritious cream coloured flowers which till recently were almost a staple diet of the tribals before the food for work programme of government and now they do not hesitate to cut these benevolent trees providing edible fruits and oil rich fruits, each tree giving sustained annual income of rupees one thousand whereas they get a petty sum of rupees two hundred or so once only by cutting and selling it.
Aegle marmelos (beela) was also visible, smiling with its sweet scented greenish white flowers on broad panicles. Bauhinia varriegata (kachnar) were also seen pulsating with their fragrant large reddish white flowers. Adina cordifolia (haldu) in yellow flowers on globose peduncles, exploited indiscriminately for its shining yellow coloured very fine textured wood, coveted for exquisite carved furniture, could also be seen but scarcely. Cassia fistula (amaltas) trees attracted the attention of passersby with their bright yellow flowers clustered on long racemes. Likewise Albizzias were conspicuous with their pale white flowers on one to two feet long panicles. The little humble Cochlospermum gossipium (gongal) was seen really gossiping with their bright yellow flowers. Lannea grandis (gunja) and Garuga pinnata (kakad), the two dominant associates in these Anogeissus forests were conspicuous in their greenish yellow flowering racemes. There were many more varieties of trees, shrubs, climbers and little herbs in bloom but they were in a hurry and could not stand and stare to enjoy such fascinating bounty of nature in such abundance.
It was 6.p.m. when they reached Ranakpur. They were just in time for evening meals which were not served there after sunset. The attendants at the shrine welcomed and invited them for meals. The meals were simple yet nutritious and delicious. They relaxed in the room reserved in advance till it was time for evening Aarti, the regular ritual in Vaishanavite shrines but now in Jain temples also. They reached the temple at 7.30.p.m. Its grandeur, tall and majestic, calm and serene, standing as a sentinel in the valley surrounded by wooded hills, was fascinating. The Aarti, the ritual of worship, singing
