Shri Shankheshvar Tirth
Mulnayak : Nearly 182 cms. high, white-colored idol of Bhagawan Shankheshvar Parshanath in the Padmasana posture
.Tirth : It is in the center of the village Shankheshvar
Historicity : In ancient scripture, this tirth is referred to as Shankhapur. Ashadhi Shrvak fell, in the grip of dreadful miseries of life. Questions arose in his mind - "When shall I attain nirvana? When shall I be free from the bondage? When shall I be liberated ? When shall I attain salvation? " Answering all these questions, Damodar Swami, the ninth Tirthankar said "Parshvanath will be the twenty-third Tirthnkar in the avasarpinikala (the descending half of the wheel of time). You will be his Ganadhar (prime disciple) named Aryaghosha and attain salvation there. He, then, became fully absorbed in praying to Bhagawan Parshvanath and worshipping His idol. The idol of Bhagawan Parshvanath then began to be worshipped in various ways in the world of Gods, in the world of hellish beings and on earth. The history of the temple :-
(1) In the year 1155 of the Vikram era, Sajjan Shah built the Shankheshvar temple on the banks of the Rupen river.
(2) In the year 1286 of the Vikram era, Vastupal Tejpal renovated this temple under instructions of Shri Vardhamansurisharji Maharaj Saheb. There were 52 idols in the temple.
(3) In the year 1302, King was awe-inspired by inconceivable grandeur of the idol and inspired by Shri Uktasuri Maharaj Saheb, he renovated this temple and made it comparable to a God’s residence.
(4) In the fourteenth century of the Vikram era, this temple was destroyed by Muslims.
(5) In the sixteenth century of the Vikram era, under the inspiration of Vijaysensurishvarji Maharaj Saheb, the splendid new temple with 52 idols, was built.
(6) In the year 1760 of the vikram era, the sangha built the new temple and got the idol reinstalled. Since then, this vast and beautiful temple with a 52 idols and passage for going round it. stands there. Besides, the original sanctuary, this temple has an open square, a decorated square, a vast square and two assembly halls. Even if volumes of books are written, they cannot fully describe the miracles of this temple.
The idol of Bhagawan Bhidbhanjan Parshvanath is in small temple to the right of the chief idol and the idol of Bhagawan Ajitnath is in the small temple to the left of the main idol. The idols of Nagraj Dharanendra, Shri Padmavatidevi, Parshva Yaksha and Shri Chakreshvaridevi are there to protect the tirth, to remove the obstacles of the worshippers and to fulfill their wishes. On the tenth day of the month of Posh (the tenth day of the dark half of the month of Magasar) and during the Diwali days, thousand of pilgrims come here to observe a two-day long fast. At present, Shri Shankheshvar tirth is under renovation at the cost of crores of rupees. The doors of the small temples on the passage for going round the temple will be enlarged and the height of their summits will be raised.
Other temples : Besides, there are the Agam Mandir, the temple of 108 Parshvanath and Padmavatidevi, the Gurumandir and other temples.
Works of art and sculpture : Comparable to a God’s residence, this ancient, majestic and delightful temple with 52 idols and covered with summits looks very beautiful. Worshipped since 87000 years, this idol specially attracts the faithful worshippers. This is a tirth of immense significance. Even today, the worshippers experience the miracles of this miraculous idol.
Guidelines for pilgrims : The nearest railway station of Harij is at a distance of 10 kilometers and Viramgam is at a distance of 62 kilometers. Bus service and private vehicles are available. There are excellent board and lodging provisions. Also, there are an upashray, an ayambilshala, a jnanamandir, a jnanabhandar, a pathshala and a hall where food is given to pilgrims for use of the journey.
Trust : Sheth Jivandas Godidas Shankheshvar Parshvanath Jain Derasar Trust,Shankheshvar, Dist Mehsana, Gujarat State, India.
