HEMKUT – RATNAKUT TIRTH

Categories : All Jain Tirth

HEMKUT – RATNAKUT TIRTH

SHRI HEMKUT – RATNAKUT TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

Shri Amizara Chandraprabhu in a shrine on Mount Ratnakut in the east direction of Hemkut, that is around 12 Kms from Hospet (Shve).

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

The history of this place is contemporaneous to Sri Munisuvratswami Bhagwan as is learnt. It is understood that Kishkinda,capital city of King Bali-Sugriv, who was the main and most intelligent disciple of Prabhu, was over here. But the entire description of that time, the temples present then, is difficult to know.

There is evidence that Vijaynagar was founded here during Vikram year 1336, but even before this Hemkut and Chakrakut, two very familiar shrines were present according to references available. Even today ruins of thousands of temples, forts etc, are found scattered in the hills and nearby area that reminds one about the antiquity of the place.

A reference of this shrine is found in ancient Tirthmalas named “Sadbaktya” which is accepted by both Swetamber and Digamber Jains.

This is the only temple being worshipped that is in a cave, which is in a large area of Srimad Rajchandra Ashram on Mount Ratnakut, by the road side and in the eastern direction of Hemkut. The temple was ceremonially sanctified at the hands of Yogiraj Srimad Sahajanadaji Maharaj ( who is also called Bhadramuniji) in Vikram year 2017. There is planning for renovation in grand scale. This place was known as Hampi also in the ancient times.

This place is significant because of the fact that it is contemporaneous to Bhagwan Sri Munisuvratswami and also because it was the capital city, Kishknadnagiri, of Raja Bali- Sugriv who was the disciple of Prabhu.

Hemkut, Chakrakut, Ratnakut, Hampi etc., were pilgrims centers from ancient times. Even today, temples of Hemkut, Ratnakut and Chakrakut are under the control of Archeological Department.

There are a lot of caves found here which were also meditation centre for countless saints. Of the present, Yogiraj Gurudev Bhagwant Sri Sahajanandanji Maharaj had practiced austerities in the last moments of his life and he was in meditation for many years in the caves of Mount Mokalsar at Jalore district of Rajasthan state.

The idol of Sri Chandraprabhu is miraculous. It is understood that lot of miracles have happened at this place and continue to take place even now. On the idol of Prabhu lot of times Ami has been seen oozing, that is why devotees also call him Anizrara Chandraprabhu Bhagwan.

It is believed that when Yogiraj Srimad Sahajanandanji while meditating in the caves, a snake often used to come there which was called Manidhari Snake. Lot of times there was a strong and sweet smell from the caves but nobody knew what was the cause of it, it was said that the smell was due to the power of Dev.

Yogiraj had inaugurated the naming of “Guru Shree Shanthivijayji Jain Vidhyalaya” run by “Shree Mahaveer Jain Kalyan Sangh” in Chennai thus the Sangh was blessed by his visit here.

Today, in spite of no Dikshit (one who takes Diksha) disciple of his, Yogiraj has got a lot of followers at various places in India. Besides this there is no other Jain temple here but the specimen and ruins of old and ancient temples can be found here at various places. Apart from this, there is one Dadawadi, a Guru Mandir and a Mataji’s temple.

The ambience at the mountain is splendid and very sober, one feels really very satisfied because of the surroundings. Artistic work of the ancient temples are seen in the ruins scattered nearby.

APPROACH – ROUTE :

The nearby Railway Station is Hospet at a distance of 12 Kms and autos and taxis are available from here. Cars and Buses can go upto the temple. The bus stand of Hampi is just a Km away from where autos are available.