Sthamban Parshwa Nath Ji temple
KHAMBAT - GUJARAT

The sprawling town of Khambat situated on the bank of Bay of Cambay  in Gujarat can boast to be one of the oldest towns of the present civilisation. According to mythological information available from Jain literature, it used to be a flourishing town in the period of 22nd Tirthankar, Shri Nemi Nath Ji and 23rd Tirthankar Parshwa nath Ji. The town has all along been richly populated by Jain trading community. At present, there are 72 Jain temples in the town, most of them being very old, belonging to 10th to 12th century period. It can also feel proud of having the oldest Jain temple of Parshwa Nath Ji, built possibly during the period of Bhagwan Parshwa Nath, by a staunch follower, named Ashadi, who eventually became the first Ganadhar of Bhagwan Parshwa Nath and thereafter attained Moksha. The image in the main temple is made of Neelum stone. This temple is called Sthamban Parshwa Nath Ji temple, the reason being that this temple, in spite of being repeatedly attacked by foreign invaders from time to time, could not be destroyed or damaged and it stood like a 'sthamb'.

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