SHRI CHARUP TIRTH
PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :
Shri Shyamala Parshvanath Bhagwan in black color seated in a lotus posture, of height 1.20 meters in Charup village. (Shve).
ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :
The history of this idol is believed to be very ancient. It is said that in remote past, Sri Ashadhi Shravak, a Jain householder had got three idols ceremonially installed, this idol is one of them. There is a reference available of the installation of the “Parikar” of Sri Parshvanath Prabhu in the holy shrine of Charup at the hands of Sri Devchandrasuriji of Nagendra Gachchha in 9th Vikram century. There is a reference available of another temple that of Sri Adinath Bhagwan having been built by Shreshthi Sri Devchandra a resident of Nagor in 13th Vikram century. One more reference states that Shreshthi Sri Pethadshah built here a temple of Sri Shanthinath Bhagwan in Vikram year 1320. In the composition entitled “Vividh Tirth Kalp” in Vikram year 1389 by Sri Jinprabhsuriji, this shrine has been referred to. In “Chaitya Paripati” composed by Tilaksurihi in Vikram 14th Century, this shrine has been also referred to . In the very same century, Sri Jaishekharsiriji has also reefed to this shrine. In Vikram 15th century Sri Kirtimerusurihi has referred to this shrine in “Shashvat Tirthmala”. In Vikram 17th century Sri Shantikushalsuriji has referred to it in “Godi Parshva Stavan”. In Vikram 18th century, Sri Meghvijayji Upadhyay in his “Prashvatha Namamala” and Sri Shilvijayji in his “Tirthmala” have referred to it. After Vikram 18th century, for some years this shrine remained disturbed and under the management of Non-Jains. In Vikram year 1938 Jain householders of Patan once again undertook the management of this temple got the same ceremonially re-consecrated on Jyest Sukla 5 in Vikram year 1984.
It is noteworthy that when Jain Acharya Sri Viracharya was returning to Patan once again, from his walking tour of Malwa at the invitation from king Siddaraj, a glorious welcome festival was organized at this old shrine of Charup. The shrine is also particularly significant because the idol is one of three made and installed by well known Jain householder Sri Ashadhi Shravak. The idol is a specimen of unequalled and unsurpassable ancient sculptural art. It depicts exquisitely the peace and equipoise, serenity and radiance, physical weakness but spiritual strength of a person in austerities and deep meditation. Such an idol can rarely be sighted anywhere else. There is no other temple nearby.
APPROACH – ROUTE :
Railway station of Charup is 1 Km from here. The nearby railway station of Patan is 10 Kms away where buses and taxis are available. Buses and cars can go upto the temple.
AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :
There is a dharamshala with all facilities and a bhojanshala for meals.
MANAGED BY :
Shri Charup Jain Swetambar.
Shri Shyamala Parshvanath Mahatirth Pedhi
P.O. Charup – 384 285,
Dist : Patan , Gujarat.
Tel: 02766 – 77568 / 77562.
