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
As per the information available Mugal Invader Alludin Khilji had destroyed this temple. It was built by Sajjan Shah in the year 1099 A.D. (v.s.1155). Idol of Padmavatidevi is adjoining to the idol of Shri Parshvanthprabhuji.
During their vihar ( travel ), many Acaryas used to come here and stay. Acarya sri Sarvdevsuriji used to stay for Chaturmas. The construction of this temple is very huge and nice. Beautiful standing idols of Sri Neminathji and of Sri Adinathji are also installed here. Small temple (deri) of Padmavati is adjoined to this te.
Around the temple, there are many hospices ( Dharmasalas ). Food is also available there.This pilgrimage place is at a distance of 125 km.by air route and about 90 km.by rail route from Viramgam.This is very auspicious pilgrimage place for all.
JAIN PILGRIMAGE PLACE - PALANPUR:
Palanpur is a famous city of Gujarat. Here one king Pralhad by name,was suffering from leprosy. And to get cured of this disease, he constructed this temple. He got cured by applying the water of Abhishek (water of the bath of the idol ). Being impressed by this he adopted jain religion and worked for the propagation of jain religion. This is the birth place of great acaryas like Yugpradhan acarya sri Somsunderji and that of Acarya sri Hirvijaysuriji who had impressed Mogul Emperor Akaber. Apart from this main temple,there are 14 other temples too. Accommodation is available and food is also available.
SAURASTRA
Pujya sri dungarsinghji M.S.
He was born in a village Mendarda ( Mahendrapur) near Junagadh in the year 1736 (s.y. 1792). His mother Hirbai was very sober and well cultured. His father Kamalsihbhai had migrated to Mangrol for business expansion. After hearing an appealing religious discourse from Sri Ratnasihji m.s., he decided to become a saint. He asked for the permission for that. After going through tests, his sister Velbai with her two sons and mother Hirbai- total five adopted dixa at Divnagari on Kartak vad 10 of s.y.1815 ( 1759 A.D.)
In the year 1789 A.D. ( s.y. 1845), Pujya Gurudev selected Gondal as the centre for religious work. He was honoured with the post of Acarya.
In the year he performed the dixa ceremony of Shri Bhimjibhai in the year 1804 A.D. ( s.y.1860). After that at Jamnagar, he gave dixa to 4 persons (inclusive of a father and a son) and handled the "Santhara" of Meghjimaharaj, which lasted for 78 days.
SASAN SAMRAT PUJYA DHARMSIGHJISWAMI :
He was born in the year 1600 A.D. (s.y. 1656). He was a very bright son of pious and religious minded couple Shri Jindaschandra and his wife Shivaba. His name in the childhood was Dharahchand. He was called by nick name "Dharma" by all.
Lokagchhadhipati Pujya Ratansihji,along with his disciples came to Jamnagar Young Dharamchandgot inspirstion from Pujya srhi Ratansihji m.s and thought of becoming ascetic ( muni ).Then on getting the consent from the parents, on Maha sud 13, s.y.1672 ( 1616 A.D.) his dixa ceremony was done and he became Dharamsimuni. In the course of time PujyaRatansiswami,
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