59.Bhaybhanja Parshwanath

Post- Bhinmar, Dist- Jalore,(Rajsthan)

Mulnayak: Nearly 32 cms. high, gold – coloured idol of Bhagwan Parshvanath, made of five
metals, in the Padmasana posture.

Tirth: It is in the city of Bhinmal.

Historicity: In ancient times, Bhinmal was a very prosperous city popularly known as Shrimal,
Ratnamal, Pushpamal and Bhillamal. There was a time when this city had a circumference of 64
kms. and the fort had 84 gates. This city looked beautiful with hundreds of pinnacled temples.
From the 7th to the 10th century, talented Acharyas created here valuable Jain literature and
Sanctified and beautified this place. This city has witnessed many rise and falls. A rich
businessman built a beautiful and huge temple and installed a five – metalled idol of Bhagwan
Parshvanath. Due to the fear of Muslim invasion, this idol was kept hidden. In V.S.1651, when
digging was done in the temple site, this idol was found along with a Samavasaran and many other
idols. This idol of Parshvanath was then installed in the temple of Bhagwan Shantinath with great
pomp and glory. Ghazni Khan, the ruler of Jalore, heard of this incident and took possession of the
idol of Parshvanath and instructed the goldsmith to make jewellery for his wife after melting this
idol. The Jain Samaj prayed to the presiding deity to bring them out of this difficult situation. A huge
swarm of bees appeared before the goldsmith hindering him from doing his work. Ghazni Khan fell
down and felt someone beating him and felt pain all over his body. Becoming fearful, Ghazni Khan
agreed to return the idol to the Sangh. Immediately he became all right. He worshipped the idol of
Bhagwan Parshvanath and with great respect gave back the idol to the Jain Sangh. In V.S.1662,
Varganj Shresthi built a beautiful and huge temple with 9 Chowkis and this idol of Bhagwan
Parshwanath was installed on the full moon day of the month of Karthik. As the people overcame
their fear (Bhaya) of the king, this idol of Parshvanath came to be known as Bhayabhanjan
Parshvanath. By worshipping this Parshvanath, people become free from their fears. In V.S.1671,
another temple of Shri Chandraprabhswami was built here.

Other Temples: Besides this, there are 8 temples in the city and 2 temples outside the city. They
all belong to the period from the 14th century to the 18th century. A new temple was built in
Bhinmal namely "Shri Lakshmi Vallabh Parshvanath 72 Jinalaya Mahatirth. This is a very huge
temple built in 100 acres of land. The idol of Bhagwan was installed in February 2011.
Works of art and Sculpture: The ancient and famous city of Bhimal is rich with plenty of artistic
ruins of old buildings. In every temple, there are many ancient and artistic idols. They are really
delightful to see.

Guidelines: The railway station of Bhinmal is at a distance of 1 km. on Bhildi- Jalore railway line.
Dharamshala and Bhojanshala facilities are available here. There is a valuable treasure of Jain
Gyan bhandar here. Bus service and private vehicles are available from Jalore and Sirohi to this
place.

Scripture: A mention of this Tirth has been made in "Sfetarya Siddhanth", in "Nisidh Churni ", in
"Upmati Bhav Prapancha Katha", in "Shri Uttaradhyayan Vrithi", in "Tirth Vandana Stotra", in "Vimal
Prabandh", in "Tirthmala", in "365 Shri Parshva Jin Naammala", in "Shri Sankheswar Parshvanath
Chand", in "Shri Bhinmal Stavan", in "Shri Parshvanath Naammala", in "Chaitya Paripati" etc.

Trust: Shri Bhayabhanjan Parshvanath Shwetambar Jain Trust, Hathiyon ki pole, Post: Bhinmal,
District: Jalore, State: Rajasthan-343 029, India. Phone: 02969-221190.