SHRI MANDALGAD TIRTH
PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :
Sri Adhishvar Bhagwan of brown color seated ina lotusposture, ofheight approx 70 Cms in a shrine located in the fort of Mandalgadh (Shve).
ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :
Research has to be done as to who has constructed this temple in the fort of Mandalgadh and when . Perhaps, this was built during the constructionof the fort or immediately after the fort was constructed as is found at various places. This is said because in all such kingdoms , the Jain householders have always helped the kings to form the capital and the same might apply here too.
By looking at the art work of the temple and of the idol it appears that the temple would have been constructed in the 9th century. Later the temple would have been renovated several times, but no such reference is found anywhere.
Apart from the antiquity of this place, this is one of the ancient shrines in the Bhilwada district and is so known as Mevadi Shatrunjay. This is the most significant point of this place.
Besides this, there is a temple known to public as Bhagwan Parshvanath Mandir, but the Presiding idol in today’s date is Sri Mahavir Bhagwan. Perhaps due to some reason or the other, the idol would have been changed somewhere. But this temple and the land donated by the Mewad State Government is in the name of Sri Parshvanath Bhagwan. Besides this, there is a Digamber temple too.
Like the Chittodgadh fort, event his place is 1865 ft. above the sea level. The circumference of this fort is about 4 miles and is surrounded on three sides by lakes. The natural scenery here is very impressive. Behind the temple at some 1½ Kms two well known Jalashaya, Sagar and Sagari are existing. Even during famine there is no scarcity of water. The confluence of three rivers viz. Banas, Badech, Menal is just superb and indeed worth seeing.
The idol of Prabhu is ancient, miracle working in brown color is seated in a sikharband Mandir, which is very beautiful and impressive. In the temple at proximity. Sri Mahavir Bhagwan’s idol is ancient and artistically beautiful.
APPROACH – ROUTE :
The railway station of this place is Mandalgadh, which is 2 ½ Kms away from the temple. Mandalgadh is located in Agra-Fort-NImach broadguage railway line. There is a tar road upto the temple at fort, till there jeep, autos and cars can go. Bus stand is nearly 2 Kms away. The nearest Airport is that of Udaipur that is 225 Kms and Jaipur that is 260 Kms away.
AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :
For lodging, there is a Jain Hall with all facilities. At present there is no bhojanshala here.
MANAGED BY :
Seth Anandji Kalyanji Ki Pedhi
Sri Adhinath Bhagwan Jain Swetamber Mandir
P.O. Kila Mangalgadh – 311 604
Dist : Bhilwada, Rajasthan,
Tel : 01489-30169 (Pedhi)
