SHRI THARAD TIRTH

PRESIDING DEITY AND LOCATION :

Sri Adhishvar Bhagwan in white color, seated in a lotus posture in a shrine located in Mota Derasar Moholla of Tharad village (Shve).

ANTIQUITY AND SALIENT FEATURES :

Ancient names of this place were Thirpur, Thiradi, Tharapadra, Thirapadra etc. This village was founded by Thirpal Dharu in Vikram year 101 and it is stated in a reference that his sister Harku had built here a large and gorgeous temple of great height with 1444 pillars.

It is believed that the present five metal idols celestial beauty of Sri Ajitnath Bhagwan seated in a lotus posture and of height 78 Cms installed ceremonially in the temple at Vav was removed from here to there on account of the fears of invasion and plunder by the Muslims during the Muslim period. This idol according to a reference was installed here in this temple on Shravan Amavasya in Vikram year 136.

The successors of Thirpal Dharu ruled this area upto 7th Vikram century, where after the area was ruled by Chouhan dynasty kings of Nadol. It is believed that Thirapadragachchha was founded here in about the 9th Vikram century by Acharya Sri Vateshvarsurishvarji.

It is stated that king Kumarpal built here a temple called “Kumar Vihar”. There is a reference available that in 13th Vikram century Shreesthi Ahaladan who was an army commander got here the idols of Sri Chandraprabh Bhagwan, Simandhar Swami, Ambika Devi, Bharati Devi etc., ceremonially installed in this temple of Sri Adishvar Bhagwan. A mention is made about this place in “Tirthmala” composed by Upadhyay Sri Vinayprabhvijayji during 14th Vikram century.

In Vikram year 1340, when Zanzanshah, minister of Mandavgadh led a congregation of Jain pilgrims to mount Shatrunjay Shrines, Shreethi Sri Abhu of this place and of Shrimal caste also reached there with his congregation of pilgrims. The titles of “Pashvhim Mandlik” and “Laghu Kashmir” were at that time conferred upon Shreeshthi Sri Abhu and his congregation respectively.

One upon a time this place was a large city where thousands of affluent Jain householder families lived. They performed many religious deeds at various places which is noteworthy. Besides this temple here, there are ten other Jain temples.

APPROACH – ROUTE :

The nearby railway station of Deesa is 55 Kms away where taxis and buses are available. Nearby village is Borol which is 22 Kms. Cars and buses can go upto the temple.

AMENITIES FOR JAIN PILGRIMS :<./h3>
For boarding or lodging, dharamshala and bhojanshala with all the facilities are available.

MANAGED BY :

Shri Tharad Jain Swetamber Murtipujak Sangh
Main Bazaar,
P.O. Tharad – 385 565
Dist : Banas Kantha, Gujarat.
Tel: 02737 – 22036.

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