- Kalikund Prashwanath
Bavla-Kheda road , Post- Dholka
Dist-Ahemdabad-387810
Mulnayak: Nearly 120 cms. high, white – coloured beautifully carved Parrikar- yukt idol of Bhagwan
Kalikund Parshvanath in the Padmasana posture. There is an umbrella of 9 hoods over the head of
the idol.
Tirth: This temple is on the Vadodara – Palitana road in the city of Dholka.
Historicity: In ancient times, this city was known as Dhavalakpur. It is believed that during the time
of the Pandavas, this city was called Viratnagar. During the time of Bhagwan Parshvanath, three
Tirths came into origin. One of them is Kalikund Tirth. There is a story behind the origin of this Tirth.
Bhagwan Parshvanath was standing in Kausagga Dhyana at the foot of the Kali mountain in
Kadambari jungle near Champanagari. Seeing Bhagwan, Mahidar elephant remembered his
previous birth. He went to the Kund lake, plucked lotus flowers and worshipped Bhagwan with
those flowers. On hearing the arrival of Bhagwan, King Karkandu came to the jungle but Bhagwan
had already left to another place. The king went into depression for his bad luck and praised the
good luck of the elephant. To bring the king out of his depression, the devas made an alluring idol
of Bhagwan Parshvanath of nine hands in height ( the original height of Bhagwan) and gave this
idol to the king. On seeing this beautiful and alluring idol, the king was overjoyed. The king built a
gorgeous temple there and installed this idol in the temple and worshipped this idol daily. This Tirth
came to be known as “Kalikund Tirth” (kali + kund). The elephant died and became Mahardik
Vyantar Dev. He became the presiding deity of this temple. This original temple is not there today.
There are many temples and idols of Kalikund Parshvanath all over India. The temple of Kalikund
Parshvanath in Dholka has come into light recently and has become a very famous Tirth. Between
the 12th and 14th century, Dholka was a very prosperous city with historical significance. Dada
Gurudev Shri Jinduttsuriji was born here in V.S.1132 and he was initiated (given Diksha) here in
V.S.1141 by Shri Dharamdev Upadhyay. Vaagbhatt, the son of Minister Udayan, built a huge
temple here called “Udayan Vihar” and installed the idol of Bhagwan Simandar Swami by the
revered hands of Acharya Shri Vadidevsuriji. In V.S.1276, King Veerdhaval appointed Vastupal –
Tejpal as his Minister. Jainism flourished during this period. Many jain literatures were written at
that time. Minister Vastupal built a beautiful temple of Bhagwan Adinath and 2 Upashrayas here. In
the 14th century, Minister Pethadshah of Mandavgarh built a temple here. This temple is not there
now. There are 3 ancient temples here even today. In the basement of the temple of Bhagwan
Adinath, there was an alluring idol of Bhagwan Kalikund Parshvanath which was believed to be
around 2,200 years old. It is said that this idol of Bhagwan Kalikund Parshvanath is here from the
14th century. When Panyas Pravar Shri Rajendravijayji came to Dholka some years back, he saw
this beautiful and alluring idol and became speechless. He wanted to install this ancient idol in a
temple. A huge temple was built and this idol was installed in it by the revered hands of Acharya
Shri Kanaksurisvarji on the 3rd day of the bright half of the month of Phalgun in V.S. 2038. Panyas
Pravar Shri Rajendravijayji was honoured with the title of Acharya during this occasion. The idols of
Bhagwan Adinath and Bhagwan Sheetalnath in this temple are very ancient, alluring and
fascinating. The Dadavadi of Shri Jinadattasurishvarji, the great Acharya of Khartargachchha, is
opposite to this temple. About 85 years back when the foundation was laid for a different temple in
the courtyard of this temple, 34 ancient idols were found while digging. These idols are still kept in
Lord Adinath temple. The other idols are much older. On this land behind the Kalikund
Parshvanath temple, a “Mini – Shatrunjay” is built on the model of the sacred temple of Shatrunjay.
Other Temples: There are 3 other ancient temples here. In the temple of Bhagwan Sumatinath,
the idol of Bhagwan Neminath is captivating and delightful. There is the ancient temple of Bhagwan
Adinath where this ancient idol of Bhagwan Parshvanath was found. It is believed that this idol of
Bhagwan Adinath is of the period of King Samprati. There is a Dadawadi opposite to this temple.
Works of art and Sculpture: Excellent artistry stands out in this ancient idol. It seems as if
Bhagwan is blessing the devotees with steady eyes and a sweet smile. There are many other
beautiful and alluring idols. The architecture and construction of the temple is totally different and is
in a class of its own. The hoods in this idol are completely different from the hoods of the other
idols of Bhagwan Parshvanath.
Guidelines: The nearest railway station of Dholka is at a distance of 1km. from the temple. This
temple is on the Vadodara – Palitana road. Ahmedabad is at a distance of 40kms., Palitana
190kms. and Vallabhipur 110kms. from here. Regular bus services are available from Ahmedabad
to this place. Bus and private vehicles are easily available here. Dharamshala and Bhojanshala
facilities are available here. Matar, Kheda, Khambhat, Sojitra pilgrim centres are close by from
here. Dholka is one of the Tirths of Matar Panchtirthi.
Scripture: A mention of Kalikund Parshvanath is made in “Tirthvandana”, “Shri Parshvanath
Charitra”, “Shri Prabhavak Charitra”, “Shri Abhaydev Charitra”, “Tirthmala”, “Gurvavali”, “Updesh
Saptati”, “365 Shri Parshvajin Naammala”, “Shri Sankheswar Parshvanath Chaand”, “Shri Bhateva
Parshvanath Stavan”, “108 Naamgarbhit Shri Godi Parshvanath Stavan”,”108 Naamgarbhit Shri
Parshvanath Stavan”, “Shri Parshvanath Sankhya Stavan”, “Shri Parshvanath Naammala”, “135
Naamgarbhit Shri Parshvanath Stavan”, “Shri Subhadra Sati Raas”, “Shri Parshva Prabhu ke 108
Naam ke Chaand” etc.
Temples of Kalikund Parshvanath:
1. Kankan Parshvanath in Dandervada (Patan) is also popularly known as Kalikund Parshvanath
or Vinchhia Parshvanath.
2. In Gagan Vihar flat in Ahmedabad.
3. In Kapadvanaj
4. In Calicut in Kerala.
5. In Ajhadagli in Kolhapur.
6. In Kumbhojgiri (Dharamshala Thaleti).
7. In Santacruz, Mumbai.
8. In Surat near Desai Pole Pedhi.
9. In Jaisalmer.
10. In Bharuch.
On the sacred hills of Shatrunjaya where the two ways part, the foot prints of Bhagwan
Kalikund Parshvanath are there in a Deri. Pilgrims climbing the hills worship here and then
continue climbing the hills. There is an idol of Kalikund Parshvanath in Bhiladiyaji Tirth, Jiravala
Tirth, Chandanbala apartment in Mumbai, Shri Adinath temple in Walkeshwar in Mumbai,
Hathibhai ni wadi in Ahmedabad, etc.
Trust: Shri Kalikund Parshvanath Jain Shwetambar Tirth, c/o Shri Tejpal Vastupal Jain Charitable
Trust, Post: Dholka – 387 810, District: Ahmedabad, State: Gujarat, India.
