Journal of Gyansagar Science Foundation 2013 04 01

Author(s): Sanjeev Sogani, Vimal Jain
Publisher: Gyansagar Science Foundation

Page 27

Locating probable unexplored Archaeological site of Ashtapad MahaTirth near Kailash in Tibet using Remote Sensing and GIS Technique
P. S. Thakker
Scientist, Indian Space Research Organization
(Under the auspicious of Jain Centre of America, New York) Mob:9662177406; Email: thakkerps@yahoo.com
Adinath/Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankar of Jainism was said to have attained nirvana at Ashtapad near mount Kailash in Tibet. Bharat chakravarti king, son of Rishbhdev, constructed a temple on Ashtapad in memory of Adinath/Rishabhdev. From literature it has been found that his decedents created a trench around Ashtapad for protecting the same. The exact location of Ashtapad is not known at present.
New York Jain centre, USA, is constructing a model of Ashtapad at Jain temple at New York. This centre is interested in locating Ashtapad Maha Tirth & Ashtapad Mountain. A research programme was arranged by New York Jain Centre to find out the existence of Ashtapad near Kailash, during 28th May to 21st June 2006. For this purpose a team was constituted consisting of Doctors, Engineers, Jain scholars, Sanskrit scholars, person who visited Kailash thrice earlier and space scientist, along with translators, climbers and professional photographer. From the description found in the literature compiled by Jain centre of USA, New York, it is believed that there are ten places where possibility of Ashtapad Mountain and Ashtapad Maha Tirth is there.
Probable locations of Ashtapad Mountain and Ashtapad Maha Tirth were discussed in earlier reports and zeroed down the discussion about near the location of Dharma King Norsang as probable site of Ashtapad after detailed discussions about all ten sites. In this paper we would deal with the location traced by Remote sensing Satellites and some real photographs with probable locations of Ashtapad maha teerth Remote sensing refers to acquisition of information about objects/phenomena through the use of sensors which are not in physical contact with the target. Today there is multitude of sensors having better spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions. This includes Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) which provides data of 5.8 m resolution. Today very high resolution of 1m from IKONOS is also available. Satellite data have successfully been used for Archaeological studies.
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Abstract