GANDHARA TIRTH

Categories : All Jain Tirth

GANDHARA TIRTH

SHRI GANDHARA TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

Shri Parshvanath Bhagwan in white color, and seated in a lotus posture in a shrine on the sea shore near the village of Gandhar. (Shve)

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

This was an ancient sea-port and so far it has been many rises and falls. At one time there existed here a number of Jain temples. According to one writing on the installed idol, it was ceremonially consecrated on Magh Sukla 10 in Vikram year 1664 at the hands of Sri Vijaysensurihi. A paste has been applied on the idol.

During 17th Vikram century, “Jagatguru” Shri Hirvijaysurishvarji with his large number of saint disciples had spent his chaturmas. On that occasion, Emperor Akbar sent him an invitation to visit Fatehpur –Sikhri. Sensing the possibility of the glorification of Jain religion and execution of several actions of religious importance, after taking advise from Jain Sangh in general and obtaining their accent, he had accepted the invitation. In this enclosure, there is one another temple of Sri Mahavir Bhagwan in which the installed idol has an inscription dated Vikram year 1664. Among several idols removed from here to the nearby village of Dahoj, there is one ancient idol of Jagatguru Sri Hirvijaysurishvarji of which the height is 30.5 Cms. From the inscription on this idol, it is learnt that it was ceremonially installed in Magh Sukla 10 in Vikram year 1664.

This location of the shrine in a forest near the small village on the sea shore is very appealing to the heart. The idol too is very beautiful and attractive.

APPROACH – ROUTE :

The nearby railway station from the shrine is Parvajan, almost 13 Kms away on Bharuch – Kavi road. From Bharuch this shrine is 45 Kms away and from Kavi it is 65 Kms away. Buses and taxis are available from here to come to this shrine.