SHRI KAKANDI TIRTH
PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :
Shri Suvidhinath Bhagwan seated in lotus Posture in white color and Foot-Prints of the deity in black color of length 18 Cms in a shrine in the town of Kakandi (Shve).
ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :
History of this shrine begins with the 9th Tirthankar Sri Suvidhinath. According to Swetamber traditions the four Kalnayaks (Chayvan. Janm, Diksha,and Keval Gnan) of Sri Suvidhinath occurred in this place. Sri Suvidhinath is also named as Pushpadanta.
Once upon a time king Sigriva reigned here. His wife’s name was Ramadevi. As good fortune would have it, the queen on Falgun Krishna 9 had dreams on her sleep indicative of the birth of a Tirthankar. At that very moment the soul of Sri Mahapadma after completing its two earlier incarnations entered the womb of this mother to be . In the course of time after the pregnancy period was over, she gave birth to a son with the sign of al alligator during the constellation of Mulla on the auspicious Magsar Krishna 5. During the period of pregnancy the mother-to-be proficiently performed all “Vidhiya” (rituals) as required in Jain.
Traditions the son was named Suvidhinath. Also as the mother-to-be had developed a craving for flowers during this period, the son was named Pushpadanta.
All the Gods including Lord Indra of heaven and the towns people celebrated the two Kalyanaks with very great éclat and happiness. Sweets and other necessities were then freely distributed by the king.
As the prince developed into a grown up youth at the instance of the king he married several princesses and for a few years he administered the kingdom with efficiency and ease. During his reign, the subject enjoyed the great prosperity. One day, realizing the worldly life of pleasures as transcient and unreal, at the inspiration provided by past highly evolved souls he renounced his kingly life and got himself initiated in the Jain order of saints at a place known as Saharamravan together with 1000 other kings on Magsar Krishna 6. Before this happening however, he showed little interest in worldly possessions and wealth by distributing freely all that heowned throughout the year. Thereafter, wandering as recluse and a pious saint for 4 months he returned to the same mango grave and standing under a malur tree practicing austere penance he finally attained Keval Gnan on the Karthik Sukla 3 during the constellation of Mulla> According to another opinion the 4 Kalyanaks of Bhagwan Sri Suvidhinath occurred at a place called Khunkhughagram which was Kakandi, about 3Kms from the railway station of Nonasar.
The place commands obeisance because four Kalyanaks of Bhagwan Suvidhinath, the 9th Tirthankar of the set of 24 for the present cycle of time occurred here. A place such as this where the period of Janm to Diksha of a Tirthankar has been spent, where Keval Gnan has been attained by him and the first sermon delivered resulting in the up liftment of thousands of other ordinary souls can never be adequately described. Even today, the particles of dust of the area and the vibrations surcharged with a spiritual force transform the pilgrims and elevate them to a level of consciousness never experienced by them before. All who visit the place feel grateful for the opportunity afforded to them for such an upliftment.
Renovation of the temple is now completed. In this work the selfless service of Sri Kanaiyyalalji vaidhya of Calcutta is praise worthy. The idol of Sri Parshvaprabhu in the temple is very artistic.
No other temple exists here at the present time. In this very temple is installed the ancient idol of Lord Sri Parshvanath in black color on the spot meant for Presiding Deity near the Foot-Prints.
APPROACH – ROUTE :
Nearest Railway Station of Kiul and Jamui are about 19Kms away. Lakshsarai 20Kms and Patna is around 125Kms away. Buses and taxis are available there. The bus station of the town is 1Km away. Cars and small buses can go up to the temple . Owing to narrow roads large buses have to be stopped and parked at a distance of two furlongs from the temple.
AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :
There is a dharamshala for lodging in the courtyard of the temple where water and electricity are provided.
Managed By :
Shri Jain Swetamber Society, Tirth Kakandi
P.O. Dhandh – 811 311trong>
Dist : Mongher (Bihar).
