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RITUALS
D08 - Jain Temples & Pilgrimage Places
faith. It is inspiring and uplifting to pray and worship at the place where the great religious leaders and saints once stood. The soul receives merit while the mind receives peace. India is a land of spirituality and devotion. Jain shrines in India speak of an integral association with the lives and activities of the Jain Tirthankars, who spread the message of Ahimsa, Anekantaväda, and Aparigraha. Some of the holy places where the enlightened ones were born, took Dikshä, and achieved liberation (Moksha) are of special importance. The places touched and traveled by these Tirthankars became famous as sacred places; therefore, idols of Tirthankars were installed there. The religious atmosphere of these sacred places inspires feelings of reverence. Devotional sentiments permeate throughout and bring inner happiness and peace, which leads to upliftment of the soul. It is a well-known fact that the art and architecture of a country are reflective of its religious devotion as well as economic prosperity, without which elaborately carved temples could not have been built. Every phase of Indian history, art, and architecture found supporters in rich merchants and princes who spent lavishly on the commemoration of their religious leaders and beliefs. Tirtha places have attracted millions of people. India holds immense appeal for devotees to see great Jain architecture, to know and understand the teachings of the great Tirthankars who, through hard penance, showed the course to salvation to humanity and freedom from the cycle of rebirth through Jainism. Tirtha places tell immortal stories of Tirthankars and other saintly beings. Idols, murals, and inscriptions in temples convey the message of Tirthankars. 01. Shri Palitana Tirtha
Mulanäyak: Nearly 7 feet tall, white-colored idol of Bhagawan Ädinäth in the Padmäsan posture. Tirtha: It is on Mt. Shatrunjay near the bank of the river Shatrunjay, in the state of Gujarat. There are about 900 temples on Mt. Shatrunjay, each rivaling the other for beauty and magnificence, presenting an awe-inspiring spectacle to devotees and visitors. The multitude of temples made of splendid marble, with their spires aiming the skies, present a spectacle unmatched for its scale and magnitude. The peak is a 2 miles and 2 furlongs long climb of over 3745 steps from the foot of the hill. While climbing up early in the morning, you can see river Shetrunjee at a distance gleaming in the beautiful sunrise. Palitana Tirtha displays a combination of human enterprise, architectural skills, generosity, and religious devotion. Every devout Jain aspires to climb to the top of the mountain at least once in his or her lifetime, because of its sanctity. History: Shatrunjay is known as the eternal Tirtha. It is an ancient Jain place of pilgrimage as it was here that the chief follower of Tirthankar Rishabhdev (Pundarika) attained Nirvana. Although most temples are modern, they have been restored many times, dating back to prehistoric times. Historically, the present temple was constructed in the 12th century during the reign of King Kumärpäl. Unfortunately, Shatrunjay suffered much destruction during the Muslim conquests in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, but the rebuilding took place after 1500. From the late seventeenth century, Shatrunjay has become more and more important. On a certain day (Fagun Sud teras) every year, nearly 20,000 pilgrims undertake a twelve-mile round trip Yatra. The pilgrimage to Shatrunjay generates great merit. Works of art and Sculpture: The main temple is a splendid, two storied, imposing structure with highly impressive elevation supported by 72 pillars and with artistic balconies on its sides. Besides the main temple complex, there are 8 temple complexes on the hill. All of them together are known as Nav-tunk. One of the temple has its steeple visible from a distance of 20 miles. All these complexes are built at different time by different people and hence are popularly known by their names. There are about more than 10,000 idols of Tirthankars installed in all these large and small
temples. 02. Shri Sankheshvar Tirtha
Mulnäyak:Nearly 6 feet tall, white-colored idol of Bhagawan Sankheshvar Pärshvanath in the Padmäsan posture. Tirtha:It is in the center of the village in the state of Gujarat
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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