SHRI CHANVALESHVAR TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

Shri Chanavaleshvar Parshvanath Bhagwan seated in a lotus posture. This shrine is located at a plateau of mount Ramniya thatis 1000-1200 feet above sea level, and to Chenpura village in the ranges of mount Kalighat, that is 6 Kms away from Porwal village in the devastated Minai Nagar which in turn is on the banks of River Banas in Bhilweda dist of Mewad. (Shve)

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

The antiquity of this shrine is more that 700 years. It is said that once upon a time, Minai Nagar that was on the banks of River Banas, had a radius of approx . 500-600 miles and was a very prosperous and affluent city. The capital city of Raja Savtantra was Mina. It is sent that almost at all places wherever the kings established their territory, they would find a lot of affluent Jain families. In the same manner, even over here, a lot of Jain householders would have seen being there then. It is stated that the Jain Shravaks have always taken part in the welfare of the people, in the glorification of religion too and in the construction of temples at various places.

One among the deeds of glorification of religion and general welfare to the people is that he constructed a beautiful and deep vav, which even today reminds one of his great works and feel proud about it. This Vav is called as Kavadia-Nathushah vav, Durg Minai Vav. It is believed that the vav is more that 700 years old. It is also said that shreshthi Sri Nathushah had constructed the temple of Sri Chanavaleshvar Parshavanth even before building this vav. The remnants and ruins in the nearby mount, Lake Minai etc., reminds one of its antiquity. From all the above details, the antiquity of the place is quite evident. Almost at all the shrines, the temple have been renovated from time to time, according to the references found. But at this shrine only, a few number of times the temple was renovated. In vikram year 1811 Munisri Khushalvijayji has described this place in detail his composed Tirthvali.

At present, both Shvetamber and Digamber worship this place according to their rituals. Renovations of the temple is now necessary and even a pearl paste has to be applied to the idol.

This idol has been made up of sand. It is said that at the nearby River Banas at a particular place, the milk of a cow used to ooze out completely. This went on for many days and the Gopalak was frustrated as he never used to get any milk. To find out the exact reason, he had one day followed the cow. When he came to know about the fact, he was baffled at the sight.

It is said that Guardian deity indicated in the dreams of shreshthi Sri Nathu that there was an idol of Parshvaprabhu at that particularly place which had to be excavated and consecrated ceremonially after building a temple at mount Chulvath. As indicated in the dreams, he found the idol at that place and so he got a temple built at mount Chulvath and got the idol ceremonially consecrated, which exists even today. Perhaps, Shreshthi Nathu was that Gopalak whose cow used to stand at one particular point and the milk automatically used to ooze out, since in the previous times almost all house holders had cows and farm. Perhaps Nathu Kabadia, Nathu Shravak and the Gopalak were all the same person.

The idol is very charming and even today a lot of miracles do happen.Anually on Posh Krishna Navami and Dasami fairs are organized where lot of Jains and non-Jains gather and worship with full devotion. They also get their wishes fulfilled coming here. Both Shvetamber and Digamber worship here with full devotion and perform pooja etc., according to the rituals. It is said that at times there is a tension which surmounts between the two sects. We humbly pray the lord that such rift never arise between the two and there prevails always peace here. We fully hope that during the 26th birth centenary of Lord Mahavir, this rift is bridged and there is a harmony between the two.

The scenery of the mountains where the temple is situated is very quiet, serene very beautiful and mind captivating. The pilgrims coming here get reminded immediately of Shatrunjay shrines. Besides, this temple on the mountain there is one other temple at the foot hills of Sri Parshva Prabhu . This temple at the foot hills is in a wretched condition and requires renovation.

APPROACH – ROUTE :

Bhilwada is 70Kms away from here and all types of transport are available. From Bhilwada this place can be reached in a Paroli village which is kacholashahpura road. Kachola village is 8 kms away from here. Cars, jeeps can go upto the temple and buses can go till the foot hills of the mountain. The nearby airport of Udaipur is 200 Kms from this shrine.