HANDAUDHARA TIRTH

Categories : All Jain Tirth

HANDAUDHARA TIRTH

SHRI HANDAUDHARA TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

Shri Adishvar Bhagwan in white color, seated in lotus posture of height approx. 35 Cms in a shrine located in the village of Anandhara, which is at the foot hills of mount Abu.

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

Anandhara village was earlier known as Handadhara, Hanadhara etc. This village is at the foot hills of one of the main plateau of Aravalli mountain which is well known as Arbudachal for years together and which is a place of intense austerities of several Rishi Munis. One has to cross this place to go to the mount.

World-wide known Dilwada temple is located at Arbudachal. Even before the construction of this temple there were several jain temples here. The ancient idol of Adinath Prabhu in black color, which emerged from the earth, is very beautiful and this idol exists today.

Usually before a village is established over the mountain, one is founded at the foot hills of the mount. But it is not known when and by whom was the village established and founded. Even today ruins and relics of the ancient temple, their idols are found scattered at various places here, which reminds of it antiquity. It is also evident from the above that this would have been a large city once upon a time and also that there would have been a lot of temples here.

The antiquity of this place and construction of this temple is not known. But the idol is very serene, sober and it is of King Samprati period. The last renovation of this temple was done before three years, the idols are the same ancient once.

The antiquity of this place is it most significant point. As stated earlier, one had to cross this place to go to Arbudachal and hence while climbing up or down had to stay here only. Rajas and Maharajas too had their Kothis here. This being the main fort hills of Mount Abu is also an importance of this place. This temple as well as idol are considered of a period comtemporneous to king Samprati. There is no inscription on the idol.

Yogiraj Vijayshree Shanthisurishvarji Acharya Bhagwant who is well known even today as “Abu ke Yogiraj” used to cross this place often to go to Achalgadh Dilwara. At this place he had practiced intense austerities and meditation, which exist even today.

On Magh Sukla Panchami in Vikram year 1996 his Golden Jayanti celebrations was held magnificently. At that time, Pandit Kinkardas had released and dedicated a book of bhajans which is used by devotees even today.

Traveling from this place to the Mount was not convenient. Despite being repaired now, buses and cars still cannot go up the hill. Nowadays, we find congregation of people (Sangh) walking up the hill, at times.

The idols at this shrine is indeed alluring and powerful. A black color idol of Sri Neminath Prabhu emanated from a nearby river which is worth worshipping.

Besides this there is no other temple nearby. Recently new shrines of Sri Bherav Tarahdham that is 3 Kms away and Sri Pavapuri that is 18 Kms away were constructed and opened.

APPROACH – ROUTE :

The nearby railway station of Abu road is 44 Kms away. Sirohi is 36 Kms , Mandar 30 Kms, Varman 25 Kms , Jirawala 14 Kms and Bamanwad is 42 Kms away from here. From all these places autos, taxis are available. There is a tar road upto the temple. Buses and cars can go upto the temple. The bus stand of this place is just ½ Km away. In the village too, autos are available. The nearest airport is that of Udaipur and Ahemdabad, 200 Kms away from here.

AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :

For lodging there is a well-equipped dharamshala. But at present there is no facility of a bhojanshala. From here, at a distance of 3 Kms is newly constructed Sri Bherav Tarakdhan and at 18 Kms is Pavapuri shrine, where facilities of both dharamshala and bhojanshala is available.