- Panchasara Parshwanath
Hemchary Road, PIpla ni sheri
Post-Patan Dist-Maheshana,Pin-384265
Mulnayak: Nearly 120 cms. high white-coloured idol of Bhagwan Panchasara Parshvanath in the
Padmasana posture. There is an umbrella of 7 hoods over the head of the idol.
Tirth: It is in the centre of the city of Patan.
Historicity: The history of this city begins from the year 802 of the Vikram era when Vanraj
Chavda established this city with the chanting of Jain Mantras. He built a beautiful and splendid
temple in dedication to his Guru, Acharya Shri Sheelgunsuriji and installed the idol of
Parshvanath. The idol of this temple is still more ancient as it was brought here from Panchasara,
the capital of his ancestors and got the extraordinary idol installed here under the auspices of Shri
Sheelagunsuriji. This idol, therefore, became famous as Panchasara Parshvanath. This is one of
the ancient temples of Gujarat. This temple is also known as "Vanraj Vihar". Later on, Kings like
Vanraj, Moolraj, Siddhraj, and Kumarpal, and their Ministers built many temples here. In the 13th
century, Minister Aasaak renovated this temple. Vastupal also renovated this temple. In the list of
temples made by Shri Lalitprabhsurishvarji, in the year 1648 of the Vikram era, there were 101 big
temples and 99 small temples. In these temples, there were hundreds of idols and 38 of them were
made of gems. Between 1353 and 1356 of the Vikram era, Patan was invaded by Malik Kaafoor,
the Senapati of Alauddin. The city was destroyed including the temples. In course of time, the city
was rebuilt and the temples renovated. In respect of expansion, splendour, wealth, prosperity,
trade, bravery and compassion, this was a leading city. It was, therefore, known as the golden city.
Shri Hemchandracharya wrote many scriptures here. Even today, Patan has a treasure of Jain
literature, art and culture. In Vikram era 2011, this temple was built from base and the idol was
installed by Acharya Shri Samudrasurishvarji. Later on 51 small temples surrounding the big
temple were built and the idols were installed in Vikram era 2016.
Other Temples: Besides this chief temple, there are 84 big temples and 134 small temples in the
city. Besides, Hemchandracharya’s library and many Jain institutions are there.
Works of art and Sculpture: There are many Jain temples with many Jain idols and works of
art..The length of this grand temple is 180 feet and its width is 90 feet. This newly built temple was
built with the Jodhpuri, Makarana, Jaisalmer and Dhrangadhra stones. All the domes, pillars,
chowkis, ceilings, walls, mandaps of this temple are decorated with wonderful carvings and artistic
images.
Guidelines: The railway station of Patan is at a distance of 2 kms. from the temple. Mehsana is at
a distance of around 50 kms., Siddhpur is at a distance of 30 kms. and Charup is at a distance of
12 kms. from here. Bus service and service of private vehicles are available. Dharamshala and
Bhojanshala facilities are available here. There are also many Upashrayas. The Gyan Bhandar
here are marvellous and many ancient scriptures are available.
Scripture: A mention of this temple has been made in "Chandraprabh Charitra", in "Prabhavak
Charitra", in "Patan Chaityaparipati", in "365 Parshva Jin Naammala" and in "Shri Sankheswar
Parshvanath Chand". An idol of Panchasara Parshvanath is there in Kalikund Parshvanath temple
in Santacruz, Mumbai, in Jiravala Tirth and in Kareda Tirth.
Trust: Shri Panchasara Parshvanath Jain Derasar Trust, Hemchandracharya Road, Piplani Sheri,
Patan – 384265, District – Mehsana, Gujarat State, India. Phone: 02766-222278, 02766-220559
Panchasara Parshvanath Jinalaya, the glory of Patan was originally built by Vanaraj, the founder of
Patan (Anhillpur Patan) at the instance of his guru Sheelgunsuri. This is a known fact of history.
Vanaraj’s father Jayshikhari was the ruler of the kingdom of Panchasara. And therefore Shri
Parshvanath Jinalaya was named Panchasara Parshvanath. When Patan was founded, the idol of
Panchasara Parshvanath was brought of Patan, the new capita of Gujarat and was consecrated in
a temple which also was named Panchasara Parshvanath Jinalaya. According to references found
in historical records this ancient and miraculous idol of Parshvanathji is here in this Jinalaya begins
with history of Patan it has a great historical importance.
This Jinalaya was called as Vanraj Vihar also. Now it has become a matter of the past. Vastupal
was one of the renovators of this Jinalaya in the past. There are many references to that effect.
The renovated Jinalaya of the past was made of wood. It remained wooden upto sixteen century.
With the passing of years and decades and centuries its condition got deteriorated badly and it had
to be built again from the base. This idea occurred to the mind of Sheth Shri Babusaheb Pannalal
Puranchandji, a native of Patan. And this Bavan Jinalaya was built by his family. On the auspious
fifth of bright half of Jeth of V. S. 2011 the idol of Lord Parshvanath was consecrated in the new
Jinalaya by Param Pujya Acharya Samudrasuri Maharaj Saheb. It was done with a festival of great
enthusiasm and pomp. Around this Jinalaya there are 51 mini temples. 86 new idols of Jain deities
were consecrated in them. 24 out of them were 24 Tirthankaras which were made of slabs of
becoming colours to the bodies of the Lords.
Some idols of this Jinalaya are as ancient as Samprati Maharaja’s time. The consecration
ceremony of these idols was performed by the worthy hands of Param Pujya Punyavijayji Maharaj
Saheb amidst chanting of mantras on sixth of bright half of Vaishakh V.S. 2016. In the ‘bhamti’
[circular passage along the wall of a temple] there are 218 idols of marble and 26 are those of
metal.
There are other five Jinalayas in this complex. Moreover, there are dharmashalas (inns) and
bhojanshalas (places where is provision for food and meals) with all facilities. Because of this,
there is a always a rush of pilgrims. For the last many years a three-day festival is celebrated on
account of anniversary of the Jinalaya which falls on the fifth of bright half of Jeth. Devotees from
distant places come during these festival days and take advantage of dev-darshan.
Administration of this Jinalaya is conducted by Shri Panchasara Parshvanath Derasar Trust.
