SHRI KAPARDA TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

Shri Swayanbhu (Self-created) Parshvanath Bhagwan seated in a lotus posture, in chocolate color, of height 55 Cms in a shrine in the village of Kaparda (Shve).

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

It is difficult to know when the village of Kaparda came into existence. It is believed that in olden times this village was known as Karparhedak, Kaladheda etc. the idol here manifested accompanied by some miracles in Vikram year 1674 on Posh Krishna 10, the birth anniversary of the Lord himself. Below the idol there is an inscription which states that on Vaishakh Sukla Poornima in Vikram year 1678, this idol was ceremoniously installed at the hands of Acharya Sri Jinchandrasuriji in the majestic temple of four stories which was directed to be built by Bhanaji Bhandari the ruler of Jeteran.

When the great renovator of the temple, the head of the Jain order Acharya Sri Nemisurishvarji came on a visit here, he felt unhappy at the desecration of the temple due to bad management. He immediately got the repairs started, brought correct appropriate management and in Vikram year 1975 on Maha Sukla Vasanthpanchami once again performed the sanctification ceremonies. At first in this four storied temple, there was only one idol of this Sri Swayanbhu Parshvanath Bhagwan but at the time of these ceremonies other 15 idols were added which was a noteworthy deed of the Acharya Sri.

Shri Bhanaji of Bhadari Gotra was a ruler of Jeteran area during the reign of Raja Gajsinh of Jodhpur. For some reason once the Raja got angry and ordered Sri Bhandari to rush to Jodhpur, Sri Bhandariji frightened rushed for Jodhpur and on the way stopped at Kaparda. Bhandariji was observing the vow of not taking any food without first having the sight of the Lord’s idol. His enquiries in the village gave him the information that a Yatiji who was living at the Upashraya had one idol with him. Bhandariji then happily went to Sri Yatiji, had the sight of the idol and thereafter proceeded further on the way to Jodhpur. Yatiji on knowing from Bhandariji his reason for going to Jodhpur warned the latter that here was his period of test and therefore, come what may, he should keep courage. Yatiji assured him that he was innocent and that Raja would only welcome him with respect and honor. On the other side the Raja was a false hood and a concoction. Raja made enquiries and Bhanaji reached Jodhpur, the Raja gave him due honor and respect and also further presented him five hundred coins.

While returning to Jeteran, Bhandariji met Yatiji again and told him the whole story where from yatiji inspired him to get a beautiful temple constructed. Bhandariji immediately made a donation of this whole amount of five hundred gold coins and promised all possible further help if such a project of the temple was executed. Yatiji, then cheerfully packing a bag with these coins returned the bag to Bhandariji after sprinkling on it “Vas-Kshep” cast with divine spells relating to manifold growth with instructions to guard the bag from being overturned. He promised further that if the bag was not overturned, all the requirements for the temple will be fulfilled.

Bhandariji was a great soul of merit and he became pleased with what happened. As per Bhandariji’s desire, design sketches and maps were prepared for the temple and the construction work started. He appointed his son Sri Narsinh as in charge for the project. When the whole construction was about to be finished, Sri Narsinh getting curious regarding the bag had a craving to overturn it which he did andno sooner he did this, than all the gold coins came out making the bag empty. Narsinh thereupon became greatly disappointed and felt extremely rependent. Yatiji was informed as to what had happened and he advised not to over-worry and called Bhandariji to Kaparda. When Bhandariji went to Kaparda, Yatiji fully apprised the former of the situation. The temple was not completed and Bhandariji started blaming his own Karma realizing total helplessness in the matter. Nothing more could be done. Finally the date for installation and consecration ceremonies was fixed, and it was decided that for this sanctification, his worshipful Acharya Sri JinChandrasurishvarji who was at Pali then, should be invited. Accordingly the request was made not only for ceremonies but also for finding out a suitable idol for the temple.

On Posh Krishna 10 in Vikram year 1674, which coincidentally was Prabhu’s Janm Kalyanak day, the idol of Prabhu which appeared from the bushes of “Babool Trees” was ceremoniously installed in the newly constructed temple built by Sri Bhanaji Bhandari in Vikram year 1678 on Vaishakh Sukla Poornima in the presence of king Sri Gajsinhji at the hands of Acharya Sri Jinchandrasurishvarji. The devotees started calling the idol as Swayambhu (self-manifested) Parshvanath. In all the four storeys of the sikhars of this temple, the idol is installed in four directions. Every year on Chaitra Sukla Panchami a festival is held here.

The sikhar her is a speciality. It is almost 95 feet high and can be seen from a distance of about 8 Km. The architectural style is unique. There are many statuettes in the hall. The ceiling of the dome, the pillars of the hall and the stone arches on various gates and inner doors of the temple are all unequalled in art. There is no other temple nearby.

APPROACH – ROUTE :

This shrine is 25 Kms away from Bilada and 50 Kms from Jodhpur by road. Buses and taxis are available from all these places. The shrine is located on Jodhpur-Jaipur main road.

AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :

There is a Dharamshala for lodging with all facilities and also a Bhojanshala are available.

MANAGED BY :

Shri Jain Swetamber Prachin Teert, Kaparda
Shri Anandji Kalyanji Pedi
P.O. Kaparda – 342 605
Dist : Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Tel : 02930-63909, 63947