SHRI SHRAVASTI TIRTH
PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :
Sri Sambhavnath Bhagwan in white color seated in a lotus posture and of height 105Cms (Dig) and Sri sambhavnath Bhagwan in white color, seated in a lotus posture (Shve) in a shrine located on the main Road in Shravasti village.
ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :
History of this shrine commences with the history of the 1st Tirthankar Sri Adhishvar Bhagwan. One of the 52 Janapads into which the country was divided by Sri Adhishvar Bhagwan was named “Koshal”. Shravasti the capital of Koshal.
Several illustrations monarchs ruled here thereafter Bhagwan Sri Adhinath including king Jitari, father of 3rd Tirthankar and Sri Sambhavnath. During the time of Bhagwan Mahavir, king Presenjit rule here. He ws not only a follower a Jain religion but was also a great devotee of Sri Mahavir. Emperor Shrenik of Magadh kingdom who was the chief listener of Sri Bhagwan Mahavir’s discourses was married to his sister. The city was very prosperous at that time. It was also called Kunalnagiri and Chandrikapuri. There used to be numerous Jaintemples and stupas here during that period. Even Emperor Ashok and his grandson King Samprati had got built here some temples and stupas. In a ancient book called “: Bruhat Kalp” the glory of this shrine has been referred to. The 5th Century Chinese traveler Fa-hi-yan has made a mention of this city in his notes. The 7th Century Chinese traveler Hu-en-sing while referring to this city has called it “ Jetvan Monastery”. Thereafter the name of the city remained as “Manikapuri” fro some time.
In year 900 A.D. king Mayudhwaj, 925 A.D. King Hansdhwaj, 950 A.D. King Makradhwaj, 975 A.D.King Sudhandwadhwaj and in 1000A.D. King Suhurddhwaj ruled here. All these were Jain kings. Dr. Benett and Dr. Vincent have referred to them as Jain kings. They were all brave and full of self-respect.
King Suhurddwaj by his bravery had kept his flag fluttered over several staes in India. By defeating the invading hordes of Muslims in a crushing manner, he had not only protected the country and its various religious holy shrines but also had enhanced the prestige of Hindus – the fact which will be remembered forever by the prosperity. Also at no place, the army of Mohamed Gazni had suffered such a humiliating defeat. Since when thereafter, this city was being called “Sahetmahet” is not definitely known and is still a subject of study and research.
During 14th Vikram Century, in the composition entitled “Vividh Tirthkalp” by Acharya Sri Jinaprabhasurishvarji this shrine is referred to as “Mahid”. It is stated that at that time there was here a “Jinabhuvan” around which there was a wide fort housing a temple with numerous images of Jain Tirthankars and many small sanctum chambers dedicated to lesser Gods (Dev-Kulikas) and it had while set in pearls and other precious stones. At first the gates of this temple got closed automatically after the evening Aarti ceremony and similarly opened at the sunrise owing to some powerful force of yaksha Manibhadra. On the day of the annual festival, a certain tiger used to visit the place and sit there till the Aarti ceremony wasover. There is a reference about this in the book mentioned above.
During the period of Ala-udin-khilji, this temple isbelieved to have been totally destroyed. In the 18th century, Sri Vijaysagarji and Sri Saubhagyasurishvarji have made a reference to this place.
Shravasti has become holy because the four kalnayaks Viz Chyvan, Janm, Diksha and Keval Gnan of the 3rd TIrthankar of the set of present 24 of the current Cycle of Time have taken place here. Sri Shantinath Bhagwan had also visited this place. Sri Bhagwan Mahavir came here several times spending his Chaturmas andon several occasions Samosarans were erected for him to give discourses on Jain religion when thousands of devotees were benefited. The first meeting between Sri Keshi Muni, a son like disciple of Sri Parshvanath Bhagwan and Sri gautam Swamiji, the chief disciple of Sri Bhagwan Mahavir tool place on this land. The son-in-law of Sri Bhagwan Mahavir,also the maternal nephew Jamali belonged to thisplace. He got himself initiated here at the hands of Sri Mahavir. In the end it washerein the garden known as “Koshtak” that he had started his campaign ofeven opposition to Mahavir. Goshal had struck Mahavir here with his lightening ray produced out of his body. Muni Sri Kapil had attained Moksha from this place. Brave and illustrious kings such as Prasenjit, Suhurddwaj and other who had carried out numberless activities for the glorification of Jainism happened to be the rulers of this place. The land with the dust of all its particles has thus become holy and worthy of worship. At present only this Digamber temple exists here. The construction of a new Shwetamber temple is going on.
Adjacent to present Shravasti while undertaking excavations in the area of “Sahetmahet”, many old idols and rock inscriptions are found here which are preserved in the museums pf Mathura and Lucknow.An old temple has been found near Mahet fort which is now in the care of the archaelogical department of the Government. This spot is believed to be the birth place of BhagwanSamphavnath, the 3rd Tirthankar who is presiding Deity in the present temple. The ruins of sahetmahet eventoday reming one of the antiquity of this place.
APPROACH – ROUTE :
This place is 109 Kms away from Ayodhya on Balrampur-Baihraich mainroad. From Ayodhya to Gonda and balrampur is the way. The place is 17kms from Balrampur which is also a railway station on Gonda-Gorakhpur line. The shrine is 56Kms away from Gonda and 172Kms from Lucknow. Buses and Taxis are available from all these places and they can go upto the temple.
AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :
For lodging near both Swetamber and Digamber temples, there are dharamshalas with allfacilities including bhojanshala and a hall.
MANAGED BY :
Sri Digamber Jain Tirthshetra,Shravasti
P.O. Shravasti – 271 845
Dist : Shravasti (UP)
Tel : 05252-65295
Sri Shravasti Jain Swetamber Tirth Committee
P.O. Shravasti
Dist : Shravasti (UP)
Tel : 05252-65215
