SHRI SIROHI TIRTH
PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :
Sri Adishvar Bhagwan in white color, seated in a lotus posture in a shrine at Derasar Mohalla in the town called Sirohi (Shve).
ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :
Sri Sheshmalji Chouhan , son of Maharao Shivban founded this town in Vikram year 1482. Before finding this town, a Shreshti , while passing through the area for trade, was pleased by the area as extraordinary pure and peaceful. He started construction of a temple here of Sri Adinath Bhagwan on an auspicious day viz Asoj Sukla 5 in Vikram year 1323. A reference is found which states that on completion of the temple it was ceremonially consecrated on Ashadh Sukla 13 in Vikram year 1339. This temple is known as the temple of Anchal Gachchha. In “Tirthmala” a composition of Panyas Sri Meghgani in Vikram year 1499, this temple is fully described. In Vikram year 1424 on Karthik Poornima, another temple of Sri Adinath Bhagwan with 52 surroundings small room shrines was also ceremonially consecrated. Besides these, several magnificent temples came to be built here which are still existent . The special point for mentioning in connection with these temples is that even when the town was not founded, it struck as pure and peaceful to a passing trader worthy enough for building such an excellent temple and it was only after several years that the town was founded and then the area was crowded with people and got itself transformed into a s small city which still exists today. This is the result of holy thoughts generated prevailing purest of vibrations.
In Vikram year 1610 on Magsar Sukla 10, Sri Hirvijaysurishvarji was honored at this place with the title of “Acharya”. At the time of this monumental festival, glorification of Jain religion had taken place by distribution of gold coins on a large scale . In Vikram year 1639, Sri Vijaysensurishvarji had created a wonderful impression on the local Mahjarao giving him religious discourses. In Vikram year 1634 on Maha Sukla 5, Acharya Sri Hirvijaysurishvarji had ceremoniously consecrated an extra-large-four-storey temple dedicated to Sri Adinath Bhagwan as symbolized by the latter’s dour fold idol (Choumukhji) which today stands as the most prominent creation of art.
Bhattarak Sri Haribhashrishvarji in Vikram year 1520 had performed here ceremonies for the consecration of the temple dedicated to Sri CHintamani Parshvanath Bhagwan where there is also an idol of Sri Hirvijayasurishvarji of 3 feet height with an inscription dated Vikram year 1659. A reference is available that In Vikram year 1657 Sri Jinchandrasurishvarji ceremonially consecrated here the temple of Sri Shanthinath Bhagwan where in the idol of Dada Sri Jinduttsurishvarji and Sri Jinkushalsurishvarji with inscriptions dated Vikram year 1661 are also available in this temple. In this way from time several erudite scholar Acharya having set their feet on this soil have performed many deeds of religious glorification which are noteworthy. It is believed that there is an underground passage from the door of the “Rangmandap” of the inner sanctum located behind in the temple of Sri Adinath Bhagwan with 52 surrounding small single room shrines upto the King’s palace which perhaps may have been made to enable the queen, daughters etc., of the king to silently visit the temple unseen and offer their prayers in solitude. The local Kings participated in the activities of religion with great devotion and they had intense faith in Jain religion.
A cluster of temple sikhars at the foot of the hills in natural surroundings of great beauty give here an unforgettable impression of a divine abode. In every temple here there are carved figures of gods and goddesses on pillars, arches and ceilings of superb beauty and art some of which are stated below :
In Paushadhshala adjacent to the temple of Anchal Gachchha, there is the idol f Goddess Saraswati ceremonially sanctified by Bhattarakji Sri Purnachandrasuriji on Vaishakh Sukla 3 in Vikram year 1492.
In this temple of Sri Sambhavnath Bhagwan, the idol of the Presiding Deity himself is worth seeing.
In the temple of Sri Ajithnath Bhagwan two idols in standing posture fabulously decorated with ornaments and jewels are very beautiful and attractive.
In the temple of Sri Adinath Bhagwan with surrounding 52 small single room shrines, the iconography of the idol of Sri Adinath Bhagwan himself is extraordinary. The idol is applied with a paste of pearls. In this very temple, there are thousand ancient idols of five metals , the idol of Mother Marudevi, Rajshri Sri Bharat etc., which are very alluring. The arches on the gates. Pillars halls etc., this large Chaumukh temple of Sri Adinath Bhagwan are fully artistic creations which are extremely attractive. Besides above temple of Sri Adinath Bhagwan. There are 18 other temples in this place.
APPROACH – ROUTE :
The nearby railway station of Sirohi road is 24 Kms away where taxis and buses are available. The public bus– stand is 1Km away. In the village, taxis and tempos are available. Private cars and buses can go upto about a furlong from the temple.
AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :
For lodging there is two dharamshala with all facilities including a bhojanshala for meals.
MANAGED BY :
Sri Anchaliya Adeshvarji Mandir Goth,
Palace Road,
P.O. Sirohi – 307 001
Dist : Sirohi , Rajasthan
Tel : 02972 – 30269 (P.P) ., 30631
