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JAIN RELIGION IN KACHCHH (GUJRART) ANTIQUITY, PROPAGATION & EXPANSION
After the nirvana of Shri Mahavirswami, Acarya Ratnaprabhsuriji of Shri Parshvanth tradition, by addressing the warrior caste (Skhatriya) in Oshiyacity,he established Oshwal community, and Shrimali community in Shrimali city.13 Over and above to these, people from Marvad came to Kachchh via Gujarat. Some came via Sindh in the virsamvat 1550 to 1700. Those who came vai Gujarat as businessmen are known as Gurjar Oswal, while those who came via Sindh stayed invillages and are doing animal husdanary as their profession. Today the situation is different. Most of the jain businessmen have migrated from Kachchh and have settled in Mumbai and other places for the sake of business.1
In the year V.S.1200 param tyagi innovator of Achalgachh venerable dadaguru acarya bhagvant shri Aryarakshitsurisvarji and his many disciples acarya bhagvants, leader of Achalgachh venerable shri Rajendrasurisvarji m.s., Achalgachh leader pujya shri Udaysagarsurisvarji m.s. etc. moved across Sindh, Marwad, Kachchh etc. delivering religious discourses and making people cultured. In the Sindh Parkar area they were told that " Muslims vere troubling them very much and when any animal of their was sick they were required to inform Kaji (muslim leader), and he would come to their home and slaughter the sick animal. So because of such fear about 50% got converted as muslims. The guru (jain saint) asked them do they know who they (saints) are? They said no. Then he told them that they are the religious teachers -Yati. And further told them to go with them in Kachchh, where they will have peaceful life. They all gathered there and came down to Kachchh. Rao Khangar inhabiteted in Sutheri, Kotda, Naliya, Jakhaw, Kothara, Tera, Vinzan, Godhara, Bidada Bhujpar, Bhojay, Rayghanpar, Gadhshisha, Devpur, Serdi etc. villages.15 Ancestors of Gangar Nukhna had established a village about 4700 years ago by building a gate tower (toran) on Kandha tree.It is Kandhagara Kandagara. According to the history of Gala Nukh venerable Shri Jagabapa Virani resided in Kandagara in s.y.1626. The ancestors of Achalgachhadipati pujya.Acarya Shri Gunasagarsurisvarji of Chheda linage (gotra) stayed in this village,who are known as Visa Oswal. 16
Bhadreshwar Tirth -Vasai Mahatirth :
On the basis of the remains obtained fromexcavation of Hadappa it can be stated that even before 5000 years jain tradition existed in Kachchh. The scholars differ in the views regarding the period of the findings and about the remains are of jains or not. But According to the opinion of Shri Ratilal Desai, the famous pilgrimage place of Kachchh Vasahi (Vasai) - Bhadreshvar is of the time of Shri Mahavirswami. According to the anushruti, name is related to the event of Vijay Sheth and Vijaya Shethani. During the period of the 23rd Tirthankar Shree Parshvanathji, they had constructed this temple at Bhadravati and due to that the place became a pilgrimage place. The foundation of it was done by Shri Kapil Kevali or by Shri Vimal Kevali who lived during the time of Shri Mahavirswami.In about 25 years of Nirvan of Shri Mahavirswami, they had installed the idol of Shri Parshvanathswami.17
During the renovation of the temple in the period v.s. 1934 1939, an inscription on copper sheet was found behind the cella -sanctuary (garbhgrih) which was not readable. So it was sent to Shri Atmaramji Maharaj and its copy was also sent to Dr. Hornal .But it could not be read. Some portion of it which was readable was like this
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