SHRI KUMBHARIAJI TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

Sri Neminath Bhagwan in white color, seated in a lotus posture of height about 2.13 meters in a shrine 1 Km away from the village of Ambaji on Danta Road in the quietude of a forest. (Shve).

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

The ancient name of this place according to Jain scriptures was Arasana. It is difficult to know however, when exactly the name was changed to Kumbharia. From stone inscriptions it is found that the name Arasana existed upto about 17th Vikram century. From ruins lying scattered in the nearby areas and from inscriptions, it becomes evident that years ago, this may have been an extra-ordinarily large city containing within its boundary hundreds of Jain temples. It is also possible that this city may have been destroyed in an earthquake. To-day, there exist here only five Jain temples.

According to one popular belief it is said that minister Sri Vimalshah got this temple built in Vikram year 1088. The largest of the temples today is of Sri Neminath Bhagwan and therefore it is called the principal temple. It is believed that there was an underground passage from here to Mr. Abu.

The records maintained in Tapagachchha pattavali mention that during Vikram years 1174 and 1226, Sri Vadi Devsuriji ceremonially installed and consecrated the idol of Sri Neminath Bhagwan in Arasana. According to the story in “Updesh Saptati”, Sri Pasil son of Minister Sri Goga, resident of Arasana after building the temple of Sri Neminath Bhagwan got the same sanctified at the hands of Sri Vadi Devsurihi.

In other temples, there are inscriptions available of the period between Vikram year 1118 and 1138 on the Parikar of the idol, the pedestals.

An inscriptions exists stating that renovations was done during Vikram 17th Century and ceremonial reinstallation had taken place on Magh Sukla 4 in Vikram year 1675 at the hands of Sri Vijaydevsuriji.

All these go to suggest that in Arasana city there were several ancient temples but the present one belongs to about 12th Vikram century.

According to the story in “Updesh Saptati” Sri Pasil, son of minister Sri Goga who lived here in this city, once lost the favor of Goddess Laxmi as his credit of Punya acquired in past ages got exhausted. At that time, he went to Patan for trade and visited the Rajvihar temple for offering prayers and worship. He began observing the temple minutely when one very affluent Jain female householder by the name of Hansi on seeing him poorly dressed jocularly remarked “Why are you observing the temple so minutely? Do you wish to build such a temple?” With a sad and heavy heart and in all humility, Pasil replied “Dear Sister, it is extremely difficult for me to accomplish such a work but if ever I do it, it is my earnest prayer to you to come and see it and personally grace the occasion.” The ridicule mounted by Hansi was continuously humming into the ears of Pasil who thereafter commenced austerities for invoking the favors from Goddess Sri Ambika. As good fortune would have it, Goddess Ambika appeared before him and blessed him with a boon which changed his mines of lead to that of silver. Having thus become successful Sri Pasil began the construction of this magnificent temple of Sri Neminath Bhagwan in the shape if God’s abode and adorned with various arts amidst the sylvan hills of Arasana. Once while passing by the road near the temple, his Guru Maharaj enquired of him as to how the building work was going on and he replied that it was very well due to the grace of God and Guru Maharaj, whereupon Goddess was displeased at his ungratefulness. After the domes were completed, all further progress of the temple work stopped. Using his far-sight, Sri Pasil then invited Guru Maharaj and Hansi Shravika to visit the temple. Acharya Sri Vadi Devsuriji also came and sanctification ceremonies were performed at his hands after organizing great festivities. Hansi SHravika who was pleasantly surprised at the erection of such a magnificent temple herself on obtaining consent from Sri Pasil spent nine lakh rupees on the occasion for building a large “Meghnad” hall. She wondered, how much the cost of the temple must have been If the hall alone cost her such a huge amount! This place thus has a special significance because of its antiquity as well as associated events. The sculptural art too has its own uniqueness here.

The natural beauty of this place is ever alive and pleasing to the senses because of the temple being amidst the hills in a forest. The sculpture is unique. Mount Abu, DIlwara, Ranakpur, Jaisalmer, Girnar, Khajurao- all come vividly before the eyes on seeing the temple here. Besides, this temple of Sri Neminath Bhagwan, there are four more other artful temples nearby that of Sri Mahavir Bhagwan, Sri Parshvanath Bhagwan, Sri Shanthinath Bhagwan and Sri Sambhavnath Bhagwan. In the ceilings of the temple of Sri Mahavir Bhagwan, the delicate and intricate sculpture on the panels is worth seeing. Here are depicted and carved parents of the future set of twenty four Tirthankars, their heralds, the present set of twenty four Tirthankars with their parents, fourteen dreams, the celebrations on the occasion of the birth of all Tirthankars by God Indra on Mount Meru, Prince Parshvakumar explaining non-violence to Yogi Kamath who was practicing penance of five-fires, saving from burning logs of week of two snakes, male and female, offering the obeisance bySri Dharnendra Dev to the Lord, the celestial meeting hall i.e. Samosaran of Sri Shanthinath Bhagwan, all the five events of beneficence (Kalyanaks) of Sri Neminath Bhagwan etc.,

APPROACH – ROUTE :

The nearest Railway station, Abu Road is 22 Kms away and the bus stand is at Ambaji which is 1 Km away from this place, There is a tar road upto the temple. From Ahemdabad via Himmatnagar, Idar, Khedbrahma, this shrine is 180 Kms away. Tarangagi and Mt Abu both are 55 Kms away from here. Buses and taxis are available from all these places.