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
place in Junagadh, which is also named after him. The temples on Girnar, which are most beautiflul are having best craftsmanship & were built by Vastupal and Tejpal, in between 1232 A.D. to 1242 A.D. These are the temple of Parshvanath Bhagwan. There are about 7 inscriptions in this temple. The management of these temples in handled by Jain Swetamber Mutripujak Sangh. There are some temples of Digamber Jains also.
SHRI SATRUNJAYA TIRTH (PALITANA)
Considering from the view of faith and also from the architectural view Satrunjaya tirth is the best place of pilgrimage. In the ancient time, the first tirthankar Bhagvan Shri Rishabhdev had been to this place for 700 times. Each and every particle of this place has become holy. Many Jains saints and magnanimous persons (mahatma) attained Nirvan over here. They overcame anger, hatred,greed and illusion. These are known as enemies of the soul. So they are called Shatru and they were defeated and saints won. So this place is called "Shatrunjay". The altitude of this hill is 7000'. There are 700 temples on the hill and there are numerous idols in temples. The distance between the base of the hill (taleti) and the first Temple on the hill is 4 km. There are 3750 steps along with some parts of flat roads. On the route there are some shelters to take rest for short time. Drinking water - normal and boiled - is available at these places. Those who cannot climb up the hill, they hire Doli. After reaching about three km. there is bifurcation of the road. One road leads towards the main temple of Adishwarnath and the other road leads towards Nav Tunk. On the way along the main route one comes across Rampole and then across Waghanpole. Then after entering from Hathipole, one can see Surajkund, Bhimkund and Ishwaekund.
All the temples built over the hill are divided into different sections - zone- they are called "Tunk". Every tunk is covered all along by big wall, and the temples are located therein. The smallest tunk has 3-4 temples in it, while the bigger ones have about 10 temples in them. The small temples (Deri) are not taken in this distribution. Maximum number of temples are in Adeshwaredada tunk. As such in all there are ten tunks on this hill. There aree places known as Rayan Vruksh, Ghetibagh etc. Besides it there is a beautiful replica of jalmandir of Pavapuri. The names of the tunks are as follows:
1,Shree Adinthdada bhgvan tunk. 2. Seth Motishah tunk, 3. Balswasi tunk, 4 Premvasi ttunk, 5. Hemvasi tunk, 6. Ujambai tunk, 7. Sakarvasi tunk, 8. Chhipvasi tunk, 9. Chawmukhji tunk 10. Khartarvasi tunk and 11. At the base - taleti Dhanvsahi.
The Chawmukhji tunk is at the maximum height. Here in the main temple the main idol is of Bhagvan Shri Adinath. This is a very old temple. There are 16 temples and 123 small Deri.
Other tunks on high level are Motishah tunk and Adinath bhagvan tunk.
Shri Adrutji on this hill there is one idol of Adishwaebhagva, which is 18' high and 14' wide and is in sitting posture in Padmasan. This idol has been carved out from the stone of this hill.
Gheti Pagala: This is on the western side of the hill. At the base of this hill - taleti - there is a temple having foot prints of Shri Adishwar Bhagvan. Foot prints of other tirthankars are also
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