KOTHARA TIRTH

Categories : All Jain Tirth

KOTHARA TIRTH

SHRI KOTHARA TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

Sri Shanthinath Bhagwan in white color, seated in a lotus posture of height 90 Cms in a shrine in Jain Moholla in the Kothara village. (Shve).

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

This is also one of the shrines of Abdasa Panch Tirthi of Kutch-Bhuj. It is the most artistic temple in the entire Panch-Tirthi and as such it is of great renown. This temple was ceremonially consecrated at the hands of Acharya Sri Ratnasagarsurishvarji of Anchal Gachchha on the auspicious Magh Sukla 13 in Vikram year 1918.

The Jain householder Shreshthi who was responsible for the building of Keshavji Nayak Tuk on the holy shrine of Mount Shatrunjay was an inhabitant of this village here also. Besides him, Sheth Velji Malu and Shivji Nensi had participated actively. The specialty of this temple of sky reaching eight Sikhars is its art both internal and external. The sculpture executed in the halls of this temple as well as in the layout and co-ordination of it Sikhars is mind captivating. From a distance, the sight of the eight flags fluttering on eight domes makes the hart of a pilgrim spell bound instantaneously. In creating such a beautiful work, the artists have given their best both of heart and soul and one wonders if outside is so grand and pleasing, what treasure may be lying in store inside. The temple certainly enhances the prestige of the entire village. There is no other temple nearby.

APPROACH – ROUTE :

The nearby Railway Station of Bhuj is 80 Kms away where buses and taxis are available. The local bus stand is 400 meters from the temple. From Suthari is around 10 Kms, Naliya 20 Kms and Thoka around 30 Kms away. There is a tar road upto the temple and cars and buses can go right upto its doors.