Kesariyaji Jain Tirth - Bh. Adinath

Rishabhdeo, Rajasthan

Mulnayak : Nearly 105 cms, high, black-colored idol of Bhagawan Adinath in the Padmasana posture.

Tirth : There are many beliefs regarding the antiquity and history of this splendid, miraculous and extraordinary idol. This idol was in Lanka. It was very much worshipped in the times Bhagawan Munisuvrat Swami. Ramchandraji took it to Ayodhya. Then it was in Ujjain. In course of time, it appeared under a banyan tree outside Vatpradnagar. It was worshipped for some years. Again it appeared under a tree at distance of one kilometer from the village. This is the Chief Tirth of Jains in the Mevad State. A fair is held here every year on the eighth day of the dark half of the month of Fagan. With all the five fingers, people worship God here with Saffron. They give a gift of saffron to God. Bhils, know God by the name of ‘Kalababa’. Non - Jain devotees come here with faith. Since centuries, there is a custom of giving saffron to God as a gift. Sometimes so much saffron is plastered on God, that God looks saffron - colored. People, therefore, call God Kesariyanath.

Other Temples : In the compound of this temple there is an idol of Marudevamata on elephant. There is also a temple of Bhagawan Jagavallabh Parshvanath. There are ancient foot - idols in the ancient small temple under a tree outside the village. It is said that the idol of God appeared here.

Works of art and Sculpture : The fifty-two pinnacles of the temple are seen from a long distance. The temple is very artistic. Its pinnacles, archs, doors, walls etc. are very artistic, beautiful and fascinating. The face of God is so delightful that the mind delights merely on seeing it.

The Temple and the Maharanas of Udaipur : Udaipur became the capital of the Sisodias in 1559. The revival of the fortunes of the Sisodias was made possible by the Jain ministers, like Bhamashah, who provided funds to reestablish the Maharanas after they had to leave Chittor. Because of significant Jain influence, the Maharanas became devotees of Lord Rishabh and worshipped here. They also made gifts to the temple.Maharana Fateh Singh (1884-1930) presented a jewel-studded angi (coat) to the temple which is used on special occasions costing one hundred thousand rupees.The administration was handed over to the government after India's independence.

About Gajmandir : Gaj Mandir is a Jain Shwetambar Temple built in 2011 in Rishabhdeo. The place is well known for the Kika Bhai Dharmshala. The management of Kika bhai dharmshala is under Kikabhai Premchand Trust and purely owned by Jain Shwetambar community.

About the Idols : The main idol in the temple is of Tirthankara Rishabha, carved in black stone in padmasana posture, about 3.5 feet (1.1 m) tall. Two oxen are carved in the center of the simhasana (platform) of the main idol, which also has 14 dreams of the mother of Tirthankar. Surrounding the main deity, there are 23 idols, 2 standing and 21 seated, in an ashtadhatu(composed of eight metals) parikar. Here, pilgrims are bound to be lost in unstinted devotion; both Jain and non-Jain visitors and pilgrims experience a sort of sacredness, thanks due to the simply indescribable aura of the image of Shri Prabhu. The round face of Shri Prabhu is extremely attractive and pleasing to the mind. The whole temple, with the main inner apartment, the deep pandal, nine chowkis, the assembly pandal, the Bhamati, the small shrines of gods, the Shrungara chowki, the peak and the encircling fort is simply majestic. Even from a distance, the gorgeous 52 Jinalayas can enrapture the viewer. In the north and south sides of the Khela Mandapa of the temple, idols of Tirthankaras Vasupujya, Mallinath, Neminath, Parshvanath and Mahavir Swami (collectively referred to as Panch-Balayati) are installed. There are 52 secondary ornate shrines (devakulikas) of the Tirthankaras. Elephants carved of black stone stand at the entrance of the temple. On the north is the image of Goddess Chakreshvari, and on the southern side is an image of goddess Padmavati.The structure and architecture, of idols and temple, show clearly that it is a Jain temple, but since all Hindu castes and Jain sects have been offering prayers here since a long time ago, the management of the temple is done by the state Government.

Guidelines : Risabhdev - Road, the nearest Railway Station is at distance of 11 Kilometers and the city of Udaipur is at a distance of 66 Kilometers from this temple. Bus service and private vehicles are available. boarding and lodging provisions available.

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Address : Kika Bhai Dharmashala Gajmandir
Gajmandir Tirth - Kesariawas, Rishabdeo, Rajasthan - 313802
Tele : 02907-230536 / 230919,  Mob. : +91-94134-67651

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Mail to : Ahimsa Foundation
www.jainsamaj.org
R270419