All India Jain Temples and Tourist Places

Author(s): B C Nagraj
Publisher: ITI Jains Association, Bangalore

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37. BHAGALPUR:(270 kms from Madhuvan) It is one of the important cities of Bihar.
Jain temple is near Kothvali. The main deity is Lord Vasupujya in padmasan which is a metallic statue. There is also a beautiful black stone statue of Lord Parshwanatha.
Dharmashala : Near Kothwali Thana, Jain Mandir Lane. 38. GAYA : (174 kms from Madhuvan, 96 kms to Patna) There are two jain temples and a dharmashala here. Gaya is a famous pilgrimage centre of Hindus.
About 10 kms from here is Budhagaya, where under a pepal tree Gautama meditated and attained enlightenment. Since then this place has become a centre of pilgrimage. Samrat Asoka erected a temple near the tree. The present temple completely restored in the 11th century, has a tower rising to a height of 180 feet. The pepal tree here is believed to be a descendant of the original Bodhi-tree. Ali the south eastern countries have their own monasteries depicting their style of art and architecture. 39. MANDARA GIRI : ( 50 kms from Bagalpur, Kalyanaka Kshetra)
It is believed that Diksha and Keval gnan kalyan of Bagwan Vasupujya took place here on the hillock. The hillock is about 3 kms from the village bus stand. There are two Digambar jain temples and foot prints of Bhagawan Vasupujya on the hill. The mandir in village has a beautiful padmasan statue of Vasupujya.
Hindus call this hill as Mandarachal. They believe that churning of the sagar by Devas and Asuras was done by this Mandarachal with Vasuki as the rope. 40. CHAMPAPURI : (It is located on the outskirts of Bhagalpur)
Once this was the main city of Magadha Kingdom and known as Nathanagar..
All the five kalyans of Bhagawan Vasupujya took place in Champapuri. But some believe that Garbha and Janma, Kalyana of 12th Thirthankar Vasupujya took place here in Champapuri, Diksha and Kevalgnan Kalyan at Mandargiri hill. Finally Nirvan of Bagwan Vasupujya took place in Champapuri along with 490 munis.
There are two dharmashala complex here. (1) Bispanthi Dharmashala : Good facilities are available in
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