Ashtapadji Mahatirth Temple

Author(s): Jain Center of America Inc. New York
Publisher: USA Jain Center America NY

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History & References
1) Aacharang Niryoukti was first to mention about the Ashtapad Tirth. 2) Aavshyak Niryoukti also has a description about Ashtapad Tirth. 3) Ekadash Angadi Aagam, one of the oldest texts on Jainism also mentions Ashtapad as MahaTirth.
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Uttaradhyan Sutra Niryoukti says that anyone (Charam Shariri) who can scale Ashtapad Tirth will attain Salvation (Moksha)
(Para 290 Chapter 10).
Nishith Churni Divine has a description about salvation (Moksha) of Adinath Bhagwan on Ashtapad mountain.
Vividh Tirth Kalp has a chapter dedicated to Ashtapad Giri Kalp. Acharya Dharma Ghosh Suriji's "Shri Ashtapad Maha Tirth Kalp" has a description of this Tirth.
Gyan Prakash Deeparnave discusses the construction of Ashtapad in detail.
Uttar Puran has a description of Jain Tirthanker Rishabdev and that, his son Bharat constructed golden temple with 72 statues of all three Chouvishi's -Past, Present and Future.
10) Bhagwan Mahaveer once said during his sermon that any human being. who can scale this mountain & offer prayers there, will attain salvation in his life time. Shri Gautam Swami scaled this Tirth with his special powers.
11) Vasudevhindi in 21st chapter says this mountain is related to Vaitadhya mountain, is 8 miles in height & Niyadi river is flowing at the foothills. 12) Jambu Dweep Pragnati says that Ashtapad Mt. is situated north of
Koshal Desh.
13) Siddhahnam Buddhahnam (Siddh Stav Sutra) describes sitting arrangement "Chattari Atha Das Doy Vandiya Jeenvara Chouvishi". 14) "Ashtapad Kalpa (old)", written by Shri Purvacharya describes in detail the importance of this place and all the events that took place there. 15) Acharya Hemchandracharya in "Trishashthi Shalaka Purush Charitra" describes Ashtapad in detail. Chapter 10 Para 9 says one staying overnight there and offering prayers to all Jin idols, attains salvation. 16) Shahajanand Dhanji - in his letters, says 3 chouvishi consisting of 72 idols are buried under the snow & some of the Jin idols are under control of Buddhist monks.
17) According to MIT human civilization started at Tibet. As per scriptures, Shri Adinath Bhagwan taught Ashi Mashi & Krishi (Arts, Commerce & Agriculture).
18) Shri Bharat Hansraj took many pictures of mountain and according
to him those pictures match the description of Shri Ashtapad.
19) According to one Mongolian monk, Shri Adinath meditated and prayed on the Ashtapad mountain which is mentioned in Kanjur & Tanjur books. 20) Potala Palace (former residence of Dalai Lama) has some old books-written on Tal Patra which describe Nirvana of Rishabdev at Ashtapad-Kailash.
Ashtapad design as per Scripture
ASHTAPAD DARSHAN
NING 4.4