$JES 981 Ashtapad Tirth Booklet

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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Ashtäpad". We got some leads from scholars, who were generous in providing us with photocopies of a few articles from old Jain literature which allowed us to draw considerable knowledge about Shri Ashtäpad. These articles gave us detailed information about Shri Ashtäpad and also provided an impetus to our thought process about how to make a model of Ashtäpad Tirth.
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SHRI ASHTÄPAD MAHÄ-TIRTH
Shri Ashtäpad Tirth Pat
Our research resulted into following visualization of the actual Ashtäpad: "Shri Ashtäpad Tirth is situated in the tranquil region of the snow covered mountains of Himalayas and is open to the skies. It is known by several names such as.....
Ratnamay A palace made of gemstones and houses 24 idols of Tirthankars made of gemstones, Rajatädri Rajat Adri or Silver Mountain; because Ashtäpad Mountain is snow covered and looks like silver, and Sfatikächal - Sfatik Achal: meaning a mountain of crystal
The above description helped us in defining the attributes of the model of Ashtäpad Tirth. To be able to replicate the real scenario, a mountain should be carved out of crystal stone (naturally available in transparent and translucent shades) that could provide the look and feel of the snowcovered mountain. Provide eight steps at the base and 24 niches (Gokhaläs) for Shri Chovisi in the center of the mountain that will fulfill the desire of "Ratna Mandir". The whole structure would be assembled to appear as a mountain.
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Thus the idea of making a model of "Shri Ashtäpad" with "Ratna Mandir" Chovisi (24 Tirthankar idols) installed on the Ashtäpad Mountain was born.
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