VARKANA TIRTH

Categories : All Jain Tirth

VARKANA TIRTH

SHRI VARKANA TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

Sri Parshvanath Bhagwan in white color, seated in lotus posture, of height 30 Cms located in a shrine in the middle of a village Varkana (Shve).

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

In ancient times, this place has been called Varkanakpur or Varkanaknagar. A reference has been found suggesting that in past ages, this was a large and prosperous city. During the period of Rana Kumbha, affluent Jain house-holders of Srimalpur had carried out renovations to this shrine. There is no inscription available on the idol. On a pillar of nine sides there is one inscription dated Vikram year 1211, outside the gate there is a stone inscription dated Vikram year 1686. A reference is found that the pilgrim tax of this place was cancelled by Rana Sri Jagatsinh of Mewad at the instance of Acharya Vijaydevsuri. The idol here , it is believed has been installed and ceremonially consecrated in Vikram year 515.

This shrine is one of the Godwal Panch Tirthi. In the composition entitled “Stotra”, this shrine has been referred to. The work and activities of the boarding school for students established here at the inspiration of Acharya Sri Vikaylalitsuriji, the disciple of Acharya Sri Vijayvallabhsurij are praise worthy. Every year on Posh Krishna 10 a big fair is held here. There are no other temples nearby. The art on sikhars as well as in making the idol of the lord is indeed noteworthy.

APPROACH – ROUTE :

The nearby railway station of Rani is 7 Kms and Falna is 25 Kms away from where buses and taxis are available. The bus stand is only 100 meters from the temple. Private cars, buses can go upto the temple doors.