108.Godiji Parshwanath

Tirth : It is in the Pydhuni locality in the Bombay city.

Mulnayak:  White-coloured idol of Bhagawan Godiji Parshwanath in the Padmasana posture.

Historicity: Historicity: A number of famous and impressive idols of Bhagwan Parshvanath are known by the
short and sweet name of “Godi Parshvanath”. The original temple of Godiji Parshvanath is not in
existence today. But a number of idols of Godiji Parshvanath are present today. Among them, this
idol of Godiji Parshvanath in Pydhuni locality of Bombay is very famous. It is believed that this
ancient, impressive, alluring and fascinating idol of Godiji Parshvanath was brought to Bombay
from the ancient and influential temple of Hamirpur (known today as Mirpur) in Rajasthan. In the
beginning of the 19th century, many Jains came and settled in the Fort locality of Mumbai. They
built a temple in this locality. The idol of Godiji Parshvanath brought from Hamirpur in Rajasthan
was installed as Mulnayak in this temple. The idols of Bhagwan Adinath and Bhagwan Chintamani
Parshvanath were installed on either side of Mulnayak Bhagwan. After the installation of Godiji
Parshvanath in this temple, the jain population in Mumbai started increasing and the jain
community started prospering. In 1859 of the Vikram era, there was a huge fire in the fort locality.
The fire lasted for 72 hours and caused a ruin worth lakhs of rupees. Therefore, many Jain families
of the fort locality came and settled in Pydhuni locality. The jain community decided to shift this idol
of Godiji Parshvanath to another place. A new temple was built in Fort locality and the idol of
Bhagwan Shantinath was installed here as Mulnayak in V.S. 1865. A huge and splendid temple
was built in Pydhuni and this beautiful, alluring, influential, and fascinating idol of Godiji
Parshvanath was installed with great pomp and glory in the year 1868 of the vikram era in this
temple. This idol of Godiji Parshvanath is very miraculous. This idol gained grandeur and became
famous all around and many pilgrims come to this temple. Some years back, without setting aside
the idol of Mulnayak Bhagwan, the temple was renovated like a god’s residence. Many more idols
of Thirthankaras were installed here in the August presence of Acharya Shrimad Vijay
Subodhsagarsurishvarji, Acharya Shri Darshansagarsurishvarji, Acharya Shri
Bhuvanbhanusurishvarji’s disciple Acharya Shri Hemchandrasurishvarji in V.S. 2045. A flag is
hoisted every year on the10th day of the bright half of the month of Vaisakh.

Other Temples: In this locality and in the city of Bombay, there are many splendid temples. The
fascinating termple of Walkeshwar reminds one of the beautiful carvings of Dilwara temple.
The temples of Chembur, Agassi, Dahisar etc. in Mumbai are very famous.
Works of art and Sculpture: The idol of Godiji Parshvanath in the fascinating city of Bombay,
facinates us. From the delicate eyes of Bhagwan flows a torrent of boundless compassion capable
of melting even a stony heart. Even without a Parrikar, this idol of Godiji Parshvanath looks
beautiful. The artistry of this temple which looks bright like a god’s residence, is very beautiful and
is a specimen of the heritage of art. The carvings of the temple is beautiful and gorgeous. This
temple should definitely be visited.

Guidelines: Pydhuni is a thickly populated locality in Mumbai. This temple is close to the railway
station. It is a centre of many Jain activities. The generosity of rich Shravaks of this city is world
famous. This city is known as the city of merry making but its religious spirit is also worth knowing.
Bus service and private vehicles are available here. Of the stations of local trains in Bombay, the
stations of Grant Road, Churni Road and Marine lines of Western Railway and the stations of
Bhykala, Masjidbunder, Boribunder etc of Central railway are close to this temple. There are many
Dharamshalas and Bhojanshalas in this city. There are also many Upashrayas, Gyanbhandars,
Pathshalas and Ayambilshala in Mumbai.

Scripture: A mention of Godiji Parshvanath is made in “Shri Godi Parshvanath Utpatti Stotra”,
“Shri Godi Parshvanathjino Chodaliyoon”, “Shri Godi Parshvanath Stavan”, “ Shri Godi

Parshvanath Chaand”, “Shri Godi Parshvanath Stotra” etc. There are idols of Godiji Parshvanath in
many temples in India. There are many temples of Godiji Parshvanath all over India.
Temples of Godiji Parshvanath in India:
1. Padmavati Parshvanath in Naroda village in Ahmedabad is also known as Godiji Parshvanath.
2. In Shahpur in Ahmedabad.
3. In Kalyan society in Alice Bridge- Ahmedabad.
4. In Tokarshah ni Pole in Jamalpur.
5. In Sabarmati.
6. In Derapole in Vadodara.
7. In Mali Falia, Kayasth Mohalla, Naanpara, Vadachouta and Golsheri in Surat.
There is a story behind the temple of Vadachouta in Nagarseth ni Pole in Surat. In V.S.1062,
Seth Dahiya Bhai took a Sangh to Shri Godiji Parshvanath temple in Morvada. His wife unable to
join the Sangh was very disheartened as she had an intense urge to join the Sangh. With tears in
her eyes, she was condemning herself for her bad luck. A miracle happened and her wish was
fulfilled. When the Sangh reached Morvada, by the grace of the presiding deity of Bhagwan
Parshvanath, the idol of Bhagwan Godiji Parshvanath appeared in front of the Sethani.
Worshipping Bhagwan with great devotion and happiness, the Sethani removed the Gold Necklace
from her neck and adorned Bhagwan with the necklace. The idol appeared in Morvada along with
the necklace. Seeing his wife’s necklace adorning Bhagwan, the Seth was shocked as he did not
know how this had happened. The Seth realised the influential and miraculous power of the idol
and his wife’s devotion towards Bhagwan and was overjoyed. So, he decided to build a temple of
Godiji Parshvanath in Surat in remembrance of this incident.
8. In Alipore, Gandevi, Tharad, in Godiji ni Sheri in Radhanpur, Salvivada in Patan, Mujpur,
Vijapur, Idar, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, kutch, Morbi, Palitana etc. in Gujarat.
9. In Pydhuni, Patwa Chaal and Narayan Dabholkar road in Mumbai, and Pune city in
Maharashtra.
10. In Jaisalmer, Falodi, Pali, Jalore, Aahore, Kosana, Bikaner, Ajmer, Sojath city, Gad Sivana,
Nadlai, Pindwada, Dhanerao, Sirohi etc. in Rajasthan. In Aahore and Gohili, there is a beautiful 52
Jinalay temple with Godiji Parshvanath as the Mulnayak Bhagwan. In Maldas ni Sheri in Udaipur.
11. In Talanpur Jungle in Malwa, Balapur and Malkapur in Madhya Pradesh.
12. In Varanasi, Agra and Ajimganj in North India.
13. In Kothi and Begum Bazaar in Hyderabad, and in Parbhani.
14. In Chitradurg in Karnataka. The idol of Godiji Parshvanath here is 1,200 years old. This idol
was in a house temple for many years. Later, a beautiful temple was constructed and the idol of
Shri Godiji Parshvanath was installed by the revered hands of Acharya Shri Stulbhadrasurishvarji
on the 3rd day of the bright half of the month of Vaishak in V.S.2046. There are 250 jain families
living here. There is a Pathshala, Upashraya and Ayambilshala here. Chitradurg is at a distance of
200kms. from Bengaluru city and 60kms. from Davanagere. Bus and train facilities are available
from here. Shri Godi Parshvanath jain Shwetambar Sangh, Jain temple road, Chitradurg – 577 501.
Phone: 08194 – 220195.
15. In many places, the foot – prints of Shri Godiji Parshvanath are kept in a temple. This place is
known as “Varkhadi”. There is a Varkhadi of Shri Godiji Parshvanath on the banks of a river close
by to Radhanpur, Morvada, Suigam and Thara.
Trust: Shri Godiji Parshvanath Shwetambar Jain Tirth Pedhi, Vijay Vallabh Chowk, Pydhuni,
Mumbai – 400 004. State: Maharashtra. India.