Development And Impact Of Jainism In India And Abroad

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Arham Spiritual Center

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JAIN RELIGION IN NORTH GUJARAT & SAURASTRA
ACARAYA SHRI BUDDHISAGARSURIJI:
Acaraya Buddhisagarji was born in the year 1930 A.D. in a patidar family at Bijapur. His family name was Brchar. His father's name was Shri Shivabhai Patel , who was a leading person of their Patidar caste. His mother's name was Smt. Ambaben. Once this young boy sleeping in a cloth bag which was hung on a branch of a tree. While he was fast asleep, a big snake came up to this child. All were afraid and worried. All of them started praying for him. The snake left the child unhurt. On hearing of this event a saint predicted that this child will become a great saint.
Once when munishri Sukhsagarji maharaj, who was very well known for the penances he used to carry out, was at Palanpur, Shri Becharbhai went to him. There he expressed his desire to become ascetic (muni ). His desire was fulfilled. His dixa ceremony was performed on samvat year 1957 ( 1901 A.D.) Magsar sud 6 with great fete. He then started learning and practicing of Astangi Yoga, i.e. Yama, Niyama, Aasan, Pranayam, Pratyahar, Dharana, Dhayan ( Meditation ) and Samadhi. He did it in a natural way and became expert in it. The other important work he did was his contribution to jain literature. One after one, likewise wrote more than 108 granths. At last he passed away in the year 1925 A.D.( s.y. 1981 ).
VASANTIBAI MAHASATIJI :
Vasantibai mahasatiji was born at Kalol in the year 1904. Her father's name was Shri Chhotalalbhai and her mother's name was Smt Lehariben .She studied up to 5th std. Her dixa took place on the auspicious vasantpanchmi day s.y. 1987 i.e. 1931 A.D. Thereafter she was named as Vasantibai mahasatiji. She studied nine scriptures. She moved at many places Kathiavad, Charotar, Bharuch etc.. she passed away (died ) at the age of 97 years in
JAIN PILGRIMAGE – TARANGA :
From Mehasana station on western railway, one branch of it goes upto Taranga hill. Taranga hill is about 4 miles away from the station. It is a Siddha kshetra. One hospice dharmasala ) of jains is near the railway station. There is another hospice on the hill also. On the hill there is a jain Temple. There are 52 chaityala in Sahsrakut jinalaya. Here near Sambhavnathji temple, there is on temple of swetambermurtipujak sect. It is a big temple having nicely decorated carvings. On the north of hospice (dharmasala ) there ia hill, which is knownas Kotishila hill. There are two small temple, wherein only Footprints ( charanpaduka ) are there. Near to this small temples, there is one more small temple in which there is idol as well as footprint (charanpaduka ). On the other side of this hill, there is a hill which is known as Siddha Shila.It has two crests. On one crest there is an idol of Shri Parshvnathji and of Shri Munisuvratswamiji. While on the other crest there is an idol of Shri Neminathji and footprints of Surendrakirtiji. Thus this Taranga is a well known and famous pilgrim place of jains.
PATAN Jain pilgrimage place : SRI MAHADEVA PARASHVNATH :
Sri Mahadeva Parashvanath temple is located Khetarvasi in Patan. It is such a nice temple, that just a look at it spells out its glory. The idol of Shri Parshvanath is of white stone. Its speciality is that there in no snakehood ( sarpa fana - which symbolizes the idol of bhagvan shri
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