48.   Sahastrafarma  Parshwanath

Gopipura, Post- Surat

Mulnayak: Nearly 145 cms. high white – coloured standing idol of Shri Sahastrafana Parshvanath
Bhagwan in the Kausagga Mudra. There is an umbrella of 1,000 hoods over the head of the idol. In
the Parrikar, there is a carving of the ten Gandharas of Bhagwan Parshvanath. Near the feet of
Bhagwan, there is an idol of Goddess Padmavati. Meghmali is seen bowing down and asking for
forgiveness for his misdeeds near the feet of Bhagwan Parshvanath. This idol is carved from a
single stone and is one of its kind.
Tirth: It is in Gopipura in Surat.
Historicity: Surat is also known as "Sone ki Moorat". Surat is an ancient city with many famous
ancient Jain temples. There was a huge population of Jains living here and many of them were
very prosperous. They were very religious and spent their money in many religious activities. One
such activity was building temples for the future generations of the Jain community. Shresthi Shri
Bhaidas Nemidas was one such person. After hearing the religious lectures of Shri
Jinlabhsurishvarji, this Shresthi felt he had to do something for the jain community. So, he built a
gorgeous, alluring and beautiful temple and installed 181 idols of Thirthankaras by the revered
hands of Pujya Acharya Shy Jinlabhsurishvarji on the 12th day of the bright half of the month of
Vaisakh in V.S.1827. Shri Sheetalnath Bhagwan was installed as the Mulnayak. In the basement of
this temple, Shri Sahastrafana Parshvanath Bhagwan was installed as the Mulnayak. Many more
idols were installed by this Shresthi in this temple in V.S.1828 with great pomp and glamour. In
V.S.1829, a beautiful temple was built by this Shresthi on the hills of Shri Shatrunjay. This temple
exists even today on the hills of Shatrunjay Mahatirth. This Shresthi built an Upashraya in the
Oswal Mohalla of Surat by the name Shri Sheetalwadi Upashraya. This Shresthi was given the title
of "Ashadi Megh" for his many religious activities. This idol of Shri Sahastrafana Parshvanath is
very impressive, influential, unique, miraculous and captivating. By worshipping this influential idol
of Shri Sahastrafana Parshvanath Bhagwan, tapasvi Maharaj Saheb Shri Jaisomvijayi, in the
auspices of Acharya Shri Vijay Bhuvanbhanusurishvarji, completed his long fast of 68 days
(upvaas) smoothly, without any problem. It is said that no devotee can worship this idol of
Sahastrafana Parshvanath Bhagwan continuously for 6 months. Miracles keep happening in this
temple. Once, when the Pooja of 108 Parshvanath Bhagwan was being conducted, there was a
miracle. Kesariya coloured ami (nectar) was seen on the idol.The presiding deity Dharnendradev
gives darshan many a times.
Other Temples: There are many ancient temples in Surat. In Gopipura, there are 5 temples –
Agam Mandir, Ashtapadji Kai Mandir, Suraj Mandan Parshvanath Mandir, Umarvadi Parshvanath
Mandir and Shri Vasupujya Swami Mandir.
Works of art and sculpture: This idol of Shri Sahastrafana Parshvanath is a one of its kind idol in
the whole world. It is carved from a single stone and its sculpture is incomparable and unique. The
idol is in Kausagga mudra. The hands are seen resting on the lotus flower which is very beautifully
carved. The idol of Goddess Padmavati is very pleasing to the eye. Meghmali is bowing down and
asking for forgiveness from Bhagwan Parshvanath for all the troubles that he had given to
Bhagwan. In the Parrikar, there are carvings of 10 Gandharas who were the first 10 disciples of
Bhagwan Parshvanath. All are beautifully sculpted. In the umbrella of hoods, in the first 9 hoods
there are 2 eyes in each of the 9 hoods. All the 1,000 hoods are very minutely sculpted. There is a
smile on the face of Bhagwan which is very attractive and a devotee feels as if there is some
magnetic power which is pulling him to this idol of Parshvanath.
Guidelines: The railway station of Surat comes on the Ahmedabad – Mumbai railway line. Bus and
private vehicles are available here. There are many Upashrayas, Pathshalas, Gyan Bhandaars,
Ayambilshalas etc. here. Dharamshala and Bhojanshala facilities are available here.
Scripture: A mention of Shri Sahastrafana Parshvanath is made in "365 Shri Parshvanath Jin
Naammala", in "108 Naam Garbhit Shri Parshvanath Stavan", in "Shri Parshvanath Sankhya
Stavan", in "Shri Parshvanath Naammala", in "Shri Parshvanath Prabhu ke 108 Naam ke Chaand",
“135 Naamgarbhit Shri Parshvanath Stavan”, etc. Many poets have written many stavans about
Shri Sahastrafana Parshvanath Bhagwan. In "Shri Ratnasaar part 2", Shri Mohanlalji has written

about Shri Bhaidas Shresthi's good deeds. The main temple of Sahastrafana Parshvanath
Bhagwan is in Gopipura in Surat. There is an idol of Sahastrafana Parshvanath Bhagwan in
Jiravala Tirth, Bhiladiyaji tirth, Kavi Tirth, Kalikund Parshvanath temple in Santacruz, Mumbai; in
Babulnath Road temple in Mumbai, in Shri Adinath temple in Pydhuni in Mumbai, in Ahmedabad,
in Patan, in Radhanpur, in Palitana, in Udaipur, in Jodhpur, In Girnar, in Ranakpur, in Madhubani
Shikarji, in Calcutta, in Ahmednagar, etc.
Trust: Shri Sheetalnath Jain Derasar, Shri Sahastrafana Parshvanath Jain Derasar, Gopipura,
Subhash Chowk, Surat – 395 001. Gujarat. India. Phone: 0261 – 2595279.