Shatrunjay a Pilgrimage

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Indira Mansukhlal Doshi Memorial Trust

Page 14

The temple complex starts from this Väghanpol. There is a long line of temples on either side of the walkway. Most of the pilgrims remain concerned with the temples on the left side only. But on the right side also, there are several temples of which two are noteworthy. One is the temple of Lord Pärshwanath facing the Bhulavani complex. Apparently, that looks like an ordinary house. Inside, however, there is a marble canopy in which there is the idol of Lord Pärshwanath. On one side of the gate, there is the presentation of Nandishwardweep. Therein is an idol of the Lord in the garb of a monk. On the other side of the gate, there is Ashtapad, the mythical mountain, on which are displayed Rävan, his queen Mandodari and Gautamswämi together with his new pupils.
The other one is the Chaturmukh temple constructed in 1630. It has Mandaps on all its four sides and there are 100 pillars in all. It is therefore called Shatthambhi temple. This is the tallest structure in Väghanpol.
The first temple, to the left of the walkway, is of Lord Shäntinäth. The pilgrims usually recite second Stavan here. Just after that, is the temple of Chakreshwari, the goddess in charge of Lord Rushabhdev's order and who is also considered the goddess in charge of the hill. Most of the pilgrims are particular to pray to the goddess. Her idol was installed in 1531 by Karmäshä simultaneously with the installation in the main temple. By its side, are the idols of Padmavati, Nirväni, Saraswati and Laxmi.
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