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Shri Ashtapad Maha Tirth
There are many legends associated with Shri Ashtapad Tirth, out of which the following 24 have been depicted in individual carved units. Related stories are briefly narrated separately. Initially, the stories were carved in a two-dimensional design at the base, on the sides of the mountain, in the first two prototypes. As the concept matured, these carvings depicting various stories related to Shri Ashtapad were developed into separate three-dimensional carved units.
Janma Kalyanak
During the third era, King Nabhiraj and Queen Marudevi ruled over Bharat Kshetra. The Queen gave birth to a son named Rishabha. Shri Rishabh became King, ruling well and teaching various skills to his people. As his life went by, Rishabh decided to renounce worldly life. He donated all his possessions and became a monk.
Varsi Tap Parna
As a monk, Rishabhdev wandered from house to house for thirteen months. People offered him gold and other valuables, not knowing that he would only accept food. It wasn't until Rishabhdev reached the city of Hastinapur in northern India; at that time King Shreyans Kumar bowed down and offered Rishabhdev fresh sugarcane juice as Gochari. Since then, the Varsi Tap (penance) and the corresponding fast breaking ceremony of drinking sugar cane juice during Parna have been followed.
Bharat Chakravarti
Bharat was the eldest son of Rishabhdev. After his father renounced the throne, Bharat became the King. When King Bharat heard about Rishabhdev Bhagwan's nirvana, he went to Ashtapad to pay homage. There, Bharat not only constructed a gemstone-studded palace, but also installed the idols of the 24 Tirthankaras as Rishabhdev had described in his sermon.
Areesa Mahal
King Bharat was looking in the mirror in his palace. When one of the rings fell off of his finger, King Bharat saw his bare finger and wondered what he would look like without any ornamentation. As he removed all his jewelrv. he realized his material possessions were creating the illusion of beauty & that true beauty comes from within. With his newfound awareness, King Bharat entered deep thought, where he was able to destroy all his Ghati Karma & reach Keval-Jnan. -35 421
-Ratna Mandir
