SHRI KAUSHAMBI TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

Shri Padmaprabhu Bhagwan in white color, seated in lotus posture and of height 30Cms (Shve) and Shri Padmaprabhu Bhagwan (Dig) both shrines located on the bank of Yamuna river about a kilometer away from Gadhwa Koshal Inam village.

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

History of thisplace commenc es with he history of Sri Padmabprabhu Bhagwan. This place had the good luck to have four Kalnayaks viz Chyavan, Janm, Diksha and Keval Gnan of Sri Padmaprabhu Bhagwan. After Enlightmentment, first Samosaran was erected here by Deva Kuber. (Digamber traditions mention two of these Kalnayaks having taken place in a garden of Pabhosha, a suburb of Kaushambi).

When city of Hastinapur was destroyed by devastating flods in river Ganga, the successor kings of Raja Parishita had made Kaushambi their capital. Kaushambi had the good fortune of being the capital city of Vatsa Desh also. In “Avashyaka Sutra”, there is a reference to the factof Kaushambi city being on the bank of Yamuna.

Shri Arya Suhastiusrishvarji,Shri Arya Mahagirisurishvarji andmany other highly learned Acharyas with their saint disciples had come to this place on holy pilgrimage. In the 5th century, Chinese traveler fa-hi-yan has described this place in his diary. He has stated that the city in his “Trishashtishalaka Purushacharita” and in the composition of the 14th century entitled “Vividh Tirthkalpa” by Acharya Sri Jinaprabhasurishvarji there is also a reference made to this city. When Sri Hansasomavijayji in Vikram year 1556 visisted here,there is a reference of 64 idols of the temple at this place. In 1661 when Sri Vijaysagarji and in 1664 when Sri Jayvijayji Gani visited this place, it is stated that there were two temples.In 1747, Sri Saubhagyavijayji has mentioned about one temple in a worn out condition. As a result of excavations in this place, many old relics have been found which at present are preserved in the museum at Prayag. This big city of one time today has been transformed into a small village. The fort built by queen Mrigavati wife of king Shatanik now lies in ruins which reminds one of the city’s glorious past when the fort had a circumstance of four miles, with 32 gates and wall as high as 30-35 feet.

Renovation of this temple was done 4 years back and a new idol of the Presiding deity was installed, existing presently, as the ancient idol was damaged.

This city had the good fortune ofhaving four Kalnayaks of Bhagwan Sri Padmaprabhu Bhagwan Mahavir too had close relationship with it. Even before attaining Keval Gnan, he had visited here. The king Shatanik of this city was a great devotee. His queen Mrigavati (daughter of Chetak, the king of Vaishali) entrusting the heavy responsibility of the kingdom to her son Udayan, had taken Diksha at the hands of Bhagwan Mahavir here.

Once Lord Mahavir took an “Abhigraha” that he would accept meals only from the hands of one who was a princess, had her head shaven, had shackles on her feet, had one of her feet inside the gate with the other outside, had stream of tears in her eyes and standing with a basket full of “Bakala” inviting the saint for meals. He wandered from place to place to fulfill this “Abhigraha” and the devotees started toget worried and became unhappy as the “Abhigraha” was extremely difficult to be fulfilled. On the other side, Sati chandanbala’s fortune wasin ascendance. She was punished heavily by her mistress and in lieu thereof she was given “Bakala” for food to eat. Before however eating the “bakala” herself, she as was her vow of usually sharing food with one chance guest preferably a mendicant saint, was waiting for a guest shrine to arrive. As good luck would have it, she saw Mahavir Bhagwan arriving at her doors. She burst with joy and Bhagwan’s eyes were set at her. As Bhagwan however did not notice any streams of tears running down her cheeks, he realized that his “abhigriha” was not being completely fulfilled and therefore he turned back. Immediately Chandanbala started to weep and tears began rolling down from her eyes. Bhagwan there upon accepted that his “abhigriha” was fulfilled and broke the fast at last at Chandanbala’s hands. At this sight Gods began beating their drums in joy and led by their chief, Indra, showered from heaven rain and flowers. The shackles at feet of Chandanbala instantly broke upon and her shaven head showing profuse hair assumed a precious crown. Her whole body showed up as adorned with glittering pearls and diamonds. Sati Chandanbala took Diksha at the hands of Bhagwan Mahavir and thus she achieved the distinction of being first woman disciple . After Lord Mahavir attained Keval Gnan, a “Samosara” also was held here. Muni Sri kapil Kevali too was born at this place.

All this go to show that this whole area has a very proud history of it own. There are two other temples and a Digamber temple in a nearby village named Godva, 3Kms from here. Ruins of the old city lie scattered for miles around in this area which still has one pillar erected believed to have been the work of king Samprati.

APPROACH – ROUTE :

The nearby Railway station of Allahabad is 60Kms away where buses and taxis are available. Sarayakil can be reached by road from Allahabad and from there Kaushambi guest house is 18Kms far. Cars can go upto the temple.

AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :

Adjacent to the Swetambertemple, there is a small Shve Dharamshala and a big hall and at a little distance from here there is a big dharamshala (Shve) with32 rooms in it. Bhojanshala is shortly getting ready over there. Apart from this there is a Digamber dharamshala near its temple with facilities like water and electricity.