Jain Temples

“Shri Mahabiraya Namah”
Shri Pavagadh Digambar Jain Sidhakshetra Kothi Main Post Pavagadh. Dist.Panchmahal (Gujarat) Pin Code 389360”
“List of Jain Temples. There are two temples in Dharamshala compound:-
1. Shri Mahavir Swami God’s Temple. 2. Shri Chintamani Parshvanath God’s Temple. 3. Near the bus stand Shri Chintamani Parshvanath, Dharanendra, Padmavati Goddess Temple. There are seven temples on the mountain. Three temples on the right hand side of ropeway. There exists Shri Chandraprabhu God’s temple on way back. There are three Jain Temples near Dudhiya Talao. Luv & Kush and five kodi Muni have attained Moksha from Pavagadh.”

Jain consider this area as “Sidhakshetra”, a proven area or a place which is trusted and demonstrated to help attain “Moksha” after tapasya. This is an ancient religious place, a teerth or pilgrim for Jains.

Both these temples are situated inside the Royal Enclosure. At the main entrance of Shri Mahavir Temple one can see two pillars with inscriptions on marble placards and a lion seated on each pillar. Inscription on the right hand side pillar is interesting, have a closer look:

"PRESENT FROM THE GOVERNOR OF BOMBAY

TO COMMEMORATE THE VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY SIR GEORGE SYDENHAM CLARKE GOVERNOR OF BOMBAY ON 28-1-1908 TO THESE JAIN TEMPLES IN CONNECTION WITH WHICH HIS EXCELLENCY WAS PLEASED OF HIS KINDNESS TO MAKE A DONATION OF RS 200/-

BY ORDER NO 7239 / D 8-11-1909"

Once inside the main gate, another pair of small pillars with a lion seated on each pillar are visible and a huge & imposing marble pillar, the “1008 Maan Stambh” is seen with deity of Jain God seated inside the pillar close to its base, in all cardinal directions and probably on the top too. Behind this pillar is the main temple.

Main temple of Shri Mahavir Swami God is rather small but very neat & clean. There were no hawkers to bug you and no priests to perform puja on your behalf. In fact I saw people passing by this temple without noticing its presence.

Lav & Kush, sons of God Rama, king of Laat estate Shri Narendra, five crore Muni and saints, after tapsya attained Moksha from this “Sidhakshetra”. These incidents are described in “Nirvan-Kand”.

Once inside main hall, pure & absolute peace of the sanctum sanctorum just mesmerizes you and you feel like spending rest of the day in surrounding calmness.