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Franklin Township Temple Project
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SHRI SHIYANI TIRTH SHRI SHANTINAATH BHAGWAAN
This Tirth is located in Gujarat in the heart of a small town situated between Palitana and Limbdi, and has been in existence since the era of Emperor Samprati, the grandson of the great Emperor Ashok.
The main idol installed here is of Shri Shantinaath Bhagwaan and is believed to possess miraculous powers through ages. On the southern door of the temple, there is an idol of Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge), which is a prime example of modern art and architecture.
In the magnificent and high citadel of the temple is installed a thirteen-inch tall idol of Shri Parshvanath Bhagwaan. In the basement of the temple is seated an idol of Shri Shantinaath Bhagwaan which is thirteen inches tall. The sheer appearance of this idol evokes the feelings of devotion in the visitors. Also installed here are idols of Shri Adinaath Bhagwaan, Shri Parshvanath Bhagwaan and Shri Munisuvrat Bhagwaan. There is also a tombstone of a horseman who sacrificed his life protecting the temple.
SHRI GHOGHA TIRTH - SHRI NAVKHANDAA PARSHVANATH BHAGWAAN
This Tirth is located in the port of Ghogha in Gujarat, approximately twelve miles from Bhavnagar. The town was considered to be quite prosperous, with its leading businessmen organizing pilgrimages to Palitana. The temple's structure is majestic and palatial, with four independent temples in the same complex lending it a unique appearance. In this temple, a 36-inch tall idol of Shri Navkhandaa Parshvanath Bhagwaan is installed. This idol, which is black colored and seated in lotus posture, was uncovered ages ago from a well in a village called Vadvaa. The idol is believed to be even older than the temple itself, which was constructed more than 1000 years ago.
After a Muslim-led invasion destroyed the temple and left the idol broken into pieces, Jains living in the town under the guidance of their religious leaders decided to preserve this idol. To preserve the idol, the broken pieces were immersed in Lapsi, a sweet made from whole wheat. While the process worked and the idol assumed its original form, nine joint marks remained visible leading to the idol being named Navkhandaa, which means nine marks.
in Education international
In a nearby temple of Shri Neminath Bhagwaan, fine idols made from alloy metal were found stored away in the basement. A 400 year old metal sculpture of Samavasaran (the seating arrangement during the sermon-giving event by the Tirthankar Bhagwaan) is found here. Next to the main temple are also located temples of Shri Shantinaath Bhagwaan and Shri Suvidhinaath Bhagwaan
About 900 years ago, renovation and restoration of this temple was carried out under the guidance of Acharya Shri Mahendrasurishwarji
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