SHRI SHERISHA TIRTH
PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :
Shri Parshvanath Bhagwan in black color, seated in a lotus posture, of height 165 Cms in a shrine located in the eastern direction near the village of Sherisha. (Shve).
ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :
It is believed that at one time Sherisha was a part of Sonpur city which today appears to have been wiped off from existence. Sherisha, however even today is a magnificent and pleasant shrine. The signs of antiquity are seen in ruins and relics. There is a reference available which states that this temple of Sri Parshvanath Bhagwan was ceremonially consecrated at the hands of Sri Devendrasuriji in 18th century after Nirvan of Sri Mahavir Bhagwan. At that time the idols of Sri Parshvaprabhu were known as that of Sri “Lodhan” Parshvanath. From one inscription, on the broken “Parikar” in this temple, it is known that during Vikram 13th century, ministers Vastupal and Tejpal had got ceremonially installed in this great shrine of Sherisha, the idol of Sri Neminath Bhagwan for the welfare of their brother Maldev and son Poonsinh. All this makes it evident that the shrine is of a period earlier than those personalities. The poet Lavanyaswamy has composed with great love and devotion laudatory poem (Teerth Stavan) about the shrine of Sherisha in Vikram year 1562. From this , it is stated that the importance and glory of this shrine has not diminished since centuries.
From time to time as and when necessary, the renovations of the temple appears to have been carried out here. On account of Muslim invasions after 16th Vikram century, this shrine was both heavily pillaged and damaged. Later, in Vikram year 1955, during excavations, in the ruins of broken temples here, several Jain idols were recovered. Buying over a house of a cowherd nearby, these idols were installed therein temporarily and in Vikram year 1988, five of them were applied with paste. They were later ceremonially installed at the hands of Teerthodharak (reviver of shrines) Acharya Sri Vijaynemisurishvarji on Vaishakh Sukla Dasami in Vikram year 2002 in newly constructed majestic temple of Shreshthi Sri Sarabhai Dahyabhai of Ahemdabad.
The idol of Sri Parshvanath Bhagwan installed in the basement cell of this temple is most fascinating. The ancient attractive idol of Sri Padmavati Devi of this shrine is at present installed in Naroda which is worth seeing.
Now there are no temples nearby in the area.
APPROACH – ROUTE :
The nearby railway station of Kalol is 8 kms away. Kalol is located on Ahemdabad – Mehsana road. From Kalol, buses, taxis and auto rickshaws are available. The shrine is located on Kalol-Rancharda road. Ahemdabad is 37 Kms away from this shrine.
AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :
There is a large dharamshala for lodging with all facilities and a bhojanshala for meals.
MANAGED BY :
Sheth Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi
P.O. Sherisha – 382 721,
Dist : Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat.
Tel: 02764 – 24438.
