PAVAGADH TIRTH

Categories : All Jain Tirth

PAVAGADH TIRTH

SHRI PAVAGADH TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

1. Shri Parshvanath Bhagwan in white color, seated in a lotus posture in a shrine located on a mountain 945 meters above sea level nearby the village of Champaner (Dig).

2. Shri Chintamani Parshvanath Bhagwan in white color, seated in a lotus posture in a shrine located at the foot hills of the above mentioned mountain, near the village of Champaner (Shve).

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

This shrine is believed to be of a period contemporaneous to the 20th Tirthankar of the present set of 24 Tirthankars, Sri Munisuvratswami Bhagwan or of Shri Ramchandraji, the king of Ayodhya. In 140 A.D, the great geographer of Greece Tolemy during his tour on India has stated this shrine of Jains as very ancient and holy. It is stated that Raja Gangasinh, a successor of Emperor Sri Ashok got the fort and the temples of Pavagadh repaired and renovated in the year 800 A.D.

In Vikram year 1540, the Muslim Sultan Mohammed Begada invaded this place and heavily damaged the temples. The resuscitation of temples commenced in Vikram year 1931 and 1937 on Magh Sukla 13 at the hands of Digamber Bhattarak Sri Kanakkirtiji Maharaj the temple was again ceremonially consecrated.

According to Swetamber records also, this shrine is very ancient. There is a reference available of a temple called “Sarvatobhadra” (auspicious on all sides) built here at the instance of Minister Sri Tejpal during 13th Vikram century. Also a reference is available about ceremonial installation and consecration the hands of Acharya Sri Vijaysensuriji of a temple built at the instance of Sri Jayawant Sheth in Vikram year 1638. IN Vikram year 1746 Gani Sri Shilvijayji Maharaj has referred to a temple here of Sri Neminath Bhagwan. In a laudatory poem about Sri Jiravala Parshvanath composed by Sri Dipvijayji Maharaj in 19th Vikram century, the temples existing here are described in detail. At one time, this shrine was considered to be of equal ranks to the shrine at Mt. Shatrunjay. The remnants of ancient ruins lying scattered on the mountain remind one of its antiquity. Today, there is no Swetamber Jain Temple existing here.

In this Digamber Jain temple, every year on Magh Sukla 13 a large annual festival is held and a flag is hoisted on the mast of the temple sikhar. The shrine is believed to be a “Siddhakshetra” (a place where self-realization occurs) because in “Nirvana kand” it is stated that Sri Lav and Kush, sons of king of Ayodhya Sri Ramchandraji and king of Lat and countless other saints of Jain order after practicing severe austerities attained Moksha here.

On this mountain besides this temple, there are seven other Digamber Jain temples, At the base in the village of Champaner also, there are two Digamber temples.

In several old temples, the ruins are lying scattered on this mountain where many specimen of art have been found which are attractive. As for natural scenery and beauty of surroundings, one can feel satisfied only if one visits the temple.

APPROACH – ROUTE :

The nearby railway station is Pavagadh. On Vadadara (Baroda) – Ratlam rail line, by a branch rail line of Champaner road Junction to Shivrajpur, one can go to Pavagadh station from where the dharamshala is only 200 meters away and the ascent covers a total of 5 Kms and has to be done by foot only. From Baroda (Vadodara),Pavagadh station is 42 Kms away where buses and taxis are available. The base of the mountain is known both as Pavagadh station and Champaner.