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Available manuscripts bear out to the fact that Siddharaj Jaysinh (1094-1143) ruled over a large part of Gujarat that included the region around the present Bharuch known as Lat. Kumarpal (11431172) lived incognito in Bharuch before he ascended on the throne of Patan. An astrologer in the city had assured Kumarpal that he would soon become a king. Hence Kumarpal built a strong fort with towers around Bharuch after he had become king. Amrabhatta, a minister of Kumarpal, renovated the ancient Shakunikavihar (associated with Suvratswami) for the spiritual good of his father.
A well-known poet named Kaul lived in Bharuch in the first half of the eleventh century. Jain muni Shri Chandrasuri wrote Muni Suvratswami Charit in this city in 1137. The poem contains many references to Bharuch in those times.
Mogul emperor Jahangir gave Sir Thomas Raw the permission to start business in Bharuch in 1616. So the English came to the city and established a Kothi here. The Dutch too established their Kothi here in 1618. The Governor General Lord Ray came to Bharuch from Bombay in 1886. In his laudatory speech here he made a reference to the prosperity of Bharuch: "When I saw Bharuch from the opposite end of the river for the first time, I had a feeling that I was looking at a part of London on the bank of the river Thames".
Thus Bharuch has been an important centre of Jainisim throughat ages. A large number of Achary Bhagawants visited the city and their presence here were a source inspiration for a great many devotional activities as also for the development of literature, architecture and art in general in this region.
The following are the five major centres of Jainism in and around Bharuch :
1. Bharuch tirth : Shri Munisuvrat Swami's monastery. 2. Kavi tirth : Shri Rushabhdev, Shri Dharmanath 3. Gandhar tirth : Shri Parshwanath Prabhu, Shri Mahavir Prabhu 4. Dahej tirth : Shri Mahavir Prabhu 5. Jaghadia tirth : Shri Adishwar Prabhu
Besides the ancient Jain monastery of Shri Munisuvrat Swami, there are many other temples in Bharuch.
1. The temple of Shri Adishwar Prabhu : opposite Seth Anupchand's pole. 2. The temple of Shri Anantnath Prabhu : opposite Seth Anupchand's pole. 3. The temple of Shri Shantinath Prabhu : opposite Seth Anupchand's pole. 4. The temple of Shri Muni Suvrat Prabhu : Undi Vakhar 5. The temple of Shri Adishwar Prabhu : Vejalpur. 6. The temple of Shri Ajitnath Prabhu : Kabirpura. 7. The house temple of Shri Shantinath Prabhu : Pritamnagar Society - 2. 8. The house temple of Shri Shantinath Prabhu: Bhrugupur Society. 9. The pat painting of Shri Shiddhachaladi tirth pat; The foot marks: Panjarapole.
PAPIE
Jain Kashthapar Chitra : 53
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