SHRI DEESA TIRTH
PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :
Shri Adhishvar Bhagwan in white color seated in lotus posture, of height 45 Cms in a shrine in the village of Juna Deesa (Shve).
ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :
This shrine is believed to be of a period before 13th Vikram century. A reference is available in a composition entitled “Prabandh Panchshatika” by revered chief “Gani” Sri Shubhshill which states that when Kalikal Sarvagna Sri Hemachandracharya visited Deesa, the Pravesh Mahotsav was organized on a large scale. In past centuries, many temples must have been built here. The last consecration ceremony of the present temple was performed in Vikram year 1888 after renovation.
During 13th Vikram century after his visit to Marwar when Sri Hemchandracharya entered this place his pravesh was celebrated by organizing a great public festival. Not only the city of Deesa but every Jain household felt honored and glorified by this visit. One of the Jain householders keenly wished that Acharya should visit his home. He however was not sufficiently rich for the purpose. Yet goaded by his wife he approached the Acharya with his request. Acharya Sri immediately accepted the invitation and visited his him. With great devotion and love, this householder presented Acharya Sri with an ordinary chadar. Later when Acharya Sri visited Patan accompanied by bands and trumpets in a large procession, he put on this ordinary chadar only. When king Kumarpal and other prominent personalities enquired of Gurudev about the reason for wearing this ordinary and poor chadar, Gurudev replied that it was a present to him from a devotee. If they felt ashamed about it, it was their duty to bring up the level of such poor people. Thereupon king Kumarpal was moved and took immediate steps to ameliorate the condition of ordinary people. He invited this particular householder and presented to him ten thousand coins in cash. Many deeds thus performed by Acharya Sri for his coreligionists are noteworthy.
When Acharya Sri Hirvijaysurishvarhi practiced here religious penance with the air of “Suri” incantations, the guardian Deity of Jain religion was pleased and had appeared before him in person. She, showering blessings on him predicted that after promoting Jaivimalmuniji to the position of his chief disciple, he will have an opportunity to give religious discourses to a great king will assist him in the deeds of glorification of Jain religion. Later, Emperor Akbar received these discourses and accepted Acharya Sri as his teacher (Guru) and issued several proclamations of great religious significance. Jaivimalmuniji in the course of time became well known as Acharya Sensurishvarji.
In this place, at present there is one another temple of Sri Mahavir Bhagwan and a “Dadawadi” where there are footprints installed of Acharya Bhagwan Srimad Vijaybhadrasurishvarji and others.
APPROACH – ROUTE :
The nearest railway station, Deesa is 6 Kms away where taxis and buses are available. Bhildiyaji is 30 Kms , Charup is 35 Kms and Metrana is 40 Kms away from this shrine.
AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :
There is an Upashraya and a dharamshala in the town where devotees can stay and even food can be arranged for.
MANAGED BY :
Shri Jain Swetamber Murtipujak Sangh
P.O. Juna Deesa – 385 540
Dist : Banas Kantha, Gujarat.
Tel: 02744 – 22035 / 23337 (P.P).
