Mulnayak: Mulnayak is Shantinath Bhagwan. Nearly 33 cms. high white – coloured idol of Bhagwan Vimal Parshvanath in the Padmasana posture. There is an umbrella of 7 hoods over the head of the idol. The idol of Vimal Parshvanath is beside the idol of Shantinath Bhagwan.
Tirth: It is in Shravak ka Mohalla in the suburb of Chhani of Vadodara city.
Historicity: Near the ancient cities of Darbhavati and Vatpadra, the city Chhani was known by the ancient name Chhayapuri. A manuscript of the year 1821 of the Vikram era reveals that there were five beautiful temples in Chhani in those days. In course of time, the temples became dilapidated and old. It is believed that these temples were renovated into the present temple. The ancient, alluring and captivating idol of Shri Vimal Parshvanath was installed in the temple of Shri Shantinath Bhagwan in V.S.1893 and the idol of Shri Mahaveer Bhagwan was installed in V.S. 2020. In V.S. 1944, Seth Babulal Shivlal built a temple in Kothari Falia and installed the idol of Shri Kuntunath Bhagwan as the Mulnayak. Previously, this city was a Chhavani (military camp). Therefore, this city came to be called as Chhani. The people of Chhani are very religious. At least one member of each and every Jain family of Chhani has taken “Diksha” which is a proud moment for the people of Chhani. At present, there are more than 125 people from Chhani who have become Sadhus and sadhvis. The king of Vadodara, Shri Sayajirao Gaekwad, honoured the city of Chhani by giving the title “Diksha ki Khan” (mine) to the city. This shows the glory of this city. Chhani is the birthplace of many great Acharyas like Acharyadev Shri Kamalsurishvarji, Acharyadev Shrimad Vijay Bhuvantilaksurishvarji, Acharyadev Shrimad Vijay Vikramsurishvarji, Acharyadev Shrimad Vijay Navinsurishvarji, Acharyadev Shrimad Vijay Bhadrankarsurishvarji etc.
Other Temples: There is another temple of Kuntunath Bhagwan here.
Works of art and Sculpture: This idol seems to be very ancient. The religious outlook of the Jains of the Chhani Village and the Jain spirit woven into the texture of their life, is really praiseworthy. This is perhaps the only place where people offer worship with svadravya. Even the children of this place staunchly observe the basic rules of the Jain religion.
Guidelines: At a distance of 8 kms. from Vadodara, Chhani is at a distance of one km. from the railway station, Bus Service, taxi service and other vehicles are available. There is an ancient library, an upashraya and a dharmashala.
Scripture: The name of Chhayapur Parshvanath is mentioned in “365 Shri Parshva Jin Naammala” composed in the year 1655 of the Vikram era by Shri Premvijayji. It is assumed that Chhatrapur Parshvanath is Vimal Parshvanath.
Trust: Shri Vimal Parshvanath Shwetambar Jain Tirth, Vaniyawad, Post: Chhani, District:Vadodara, Gujarat State, India.
श्री विमल पार्श्वनाथ
श्री विमल पार्श्वनाथ – छाणी
बड़ोदा के समीप छाणी गाँव में श्री शांतिनाथ प्रभु के जिनालय के पटांगण में श्री विमल पार्श्वनाथ प्रभु का छोटासा किन्तु भव्य जिनालय है| सात फनों से अलंकृत श्वेत वर्णीय पद्मासन में बिराजमान ये प्रतिमाजी १३ इंच ऊँचे व ११ इंच चौड़े है| वि.सं. १८९३ में विमल पार्श्वनाथ प्रभु की प्रतिष्ठा विधि संपन्न हुई थी| प्रतिमाजी काफी प्राचीन है और दर्शक के मन को विमल अर्थार्त निर्मल बनानेवाले है|
