Ashtapadji Mahatirth Temple

SR No.: 001977
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Center of America Inc. New York
Publisher: USA Jain Center America NY
Total Pages: 8
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, History, & Pilgrimage
File Size: 3 MB

Page 6

Additional Idols
A number of idols have already been carved out of following real gemstones: Aquamarine, Aventurine, Agate, Amethyst, Blue-Topaz, Chalcedony, Crystal, Emerald, Malachite, Ruby, Smoky Quartz, Tiger-Eye, Tourmaline etc.
All these idols will form the part of final unit. A few of them have turned out to be true masterpieces. Some of the idols may be of special interest to the color stone enthusiasts for color, clarity and the size of single rough stone pieces from which they have been carved out. They also offer a rare glimpse into the talent of the artists in Jaipur.
Story Carvings
There are many legends associated with Shri Ashtapad Tirth out of which the following eight have been depicted in individual carved units. These stories are briefly narrated in a separate section of this handout.
1. Janma Kalyanak - Birth celebration of the 1st Tirthankar Shri Adinath Bhagwan, on Meru Parvat by Lord Indra.
2. Varshi Tap Parna - Breaking a year long fast with sugarcane juice poured directly in his palm by king Shreyans Kumar.
3. Adinath Bhagwan delivering his sermon in samovsaran at Ashtapad after attaining absolute knowledge and explaining to Bharat about forth coming chouvishi.
4. King Bharat, son of Shri Adinath Bhagwan - the creator of the Tirth who became Chakravarti following the famous Bharat - Bahubali fight.
5. King Bharat in the mirrored palace where he sees himself without any decoration and realizes the futility of material world.
6. Story of 1503 Tapas and Kheer parna after 3 days fasting by Shri Gautam Swami with his thumb in a bowl of kheer (rice-pudding).
7. Updesh (Sermon) by Shri Gautam Swami and beginning of Gandharwad. 8. Story of Nagkumar - with his flame he reduces King Sagar's all sons to ashes.
General carvings incorporated in the main mountain: Several carvings are planned to be depicted as levitating in space above the mountain. These carvings will include those of Indra, Dev Viman, "Yaksha and Yakshini carrying garlands", the Sun and the Moon.
Other carvings will be positioned on the steps leading to the mountain. These are of Shri Gautam Swami climbing the mountain on 4th step, with the help of sunrays, Ravana playing Veena on 5th step, Mandodari dancing on 6th step, a devotee praying on 8th step and 15 Tapas, each representing 100 Tapas, in various yogic postures on the 1st, 2nd and the 3rd step.
Naag Kumar & Sagar's Sons
Conclusion
Plans are in place to develop another model (Sixth in the series)-having dimensions 7' X 6' 3" made out of serpentine and colored stone statues. This will help in constructing the final unit that will be twice as big as the sixth model. We are in the process of forming an "Ashtapad Society" to create awareness about this Jain Mahatirth and to promote further research into the history and location of Shri Ashtapad.
All the material collected from scripture and research work which is being done currently will be published in near future in form of a reference book for the benefit of readers, scholars and religious leaders.
Provisionally we are planning for Shri Ashtapad Pratishtha on Akhatrij in the month of May 2005 at New York (J.C.A. New Temple Bldg.)