SHRI GHOGHA TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

Shri Navlakha (on nine pieces) Parshvanath Bhagwan in black color, seated in a lotus posture, of height 91 Cms in the village of Ghogha Bunder (Port of Ghogha) (Shve).

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

There is no inscription found on the idol. It is said that this idol was discovered from a well in the village of Vadva. It is also said that it was discovered with other idols from a reservoir in Pirampet. A reference is available that in Vikram year 1168, ceremony of “Anjanshalaka” was performed at the hands of Acharya Sri Mahendrasurishvarji and to that worth, the fickle wealth of Nanavati Sri Hira Sheth was spent and utilized. In Vikram year 1430 under the guidance of Acharya Sri Jinendrasurishvarji Shreshthi Sri Vira and Poorna had led a congregation of Jain householders to the shrines had led a congregation of Jain householders to the shrines of Mt. Shatrunjay and Mt Girnar. IN Vikram year 1431, in an information circular forwarded by Sri Jinodayasurishvarji, obeisance was conveyed to Sri Navkhanda Parshvanath Bhagwan of this shrine. All these make it abundantly evident that this shrine is of the period before 12th Vikram century but thei idol is og an even earlier period.

It is said that during Muslim rule when other temples and idols were descrated and damaged., this idol also had met the same fate. It was broken into nine pieces. After obtaining blessings and grace from the Guardian Deity, the local Jain householders kept these pieces in cooked wheat flour-sugar-water-mixture (Lapsi) and the idol was properly joined at it was, but the nine joints are even today visible to the eye. Since that day, the devotees have started calling this idol as “Navkhanda Parshvanath Bhagwan”. Some years ago, “Ami” appeared to be oozing out of the foot-thumb of the idol.

Nearby this temple there are four other temples and at a little distance in the village there are two more. In the nearby temple of Sri Neminath Bhagwan there are several idols discovered from under the earth. Two idols of Acharyas of Vikram year 1354 are in this temple. It is believed that these are of Acharya Sri Hemchandra and Sri Dharmaghoshsuri. In the nearby temple of “Samosaran”, there exists a fine metal Samosaran of early 16th century. Adjacent to the principal temple, there are temples of Sri Suvidhinath Bhagwan and Sri Shanthinath Bhagwan. The architectural style of Sri Chandraprabh Bhagwan’s temple in the village is believed to be of the period of Raja Kumarpal. In this temple, are enshrined the footprints of Sri Vijaydevsurishvarji in Vikram year 1716. Here, there are several ancient relics too. In the village in southern direction there is a beautiful temple of Sri Jiravala Parshvanath Bhagwan I which there is a magnificent idol of an Acharya ceremonially installed in Vikram year 1357, inscription on which having worn out, the name of the Acharya is not legible.

Here the iconography of the idol is of an unique character. In every temple there are ancient idols and relics into which deep research is necessary. In this temple itself, there are many idols of five metal and several other old creations of exceptional art.

APPROACH – ROUTE :

The nearby railway station of Bhavanagar is 21 Kms away where buses and taxis are available. There is a bus stand only 200meters from the temple and there is a tar road upto the temple. The shrine of Palitana is around 56Kms away from here.

AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :

There is a dharamshala for lodging with all facilities and a bhojanshala for meals.

MANAGED BY :

Sheth Kala Mitha’s Pedhi
Shri Bavkhanda Parshvanatha Jaio Derasar
P.O. Ghogha – 364 110,
Dist : Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
Tel: 0278 – 82335.