Talaja - Jain Tirth - Bh. Sumatinath

Address : Nadikade, Bhavnagar, Gujarat-364140

Location : Talaja, Gujarat, India

Railway Station : Talaja Railway Station From Two Kilometers From The Temple

Palitana is at a distance of 38 Kilometers from here. It is on a beautiful hill of the Talaja Village on the Confluence of the rivers Setunjaya and Sarita. Means of transport are available here. At the foot of the hill, there are Dharmashalas and Bhojanashalas. 

Main Deity  : 79 cms. high, black - colored idol of Bhagawan Sumatinath in the Padmasana posture shines brightly.

History : In ancient times, this sacred place was regarded as a peak of Mt. Shetrunjaya. Today, it is regarded as one of the group of the five sacred places of Mt. Siddhachal. This hill is nearly 320 Ft. high. There are strong steps for climbing the hill. The ascending path is easy and only half kilometer long. Many small as well as big caves speak of its antiquity. There is a reference that this temple was built by King Kumarpal in the twelfth century. The idol of God seems to belong to the times of King Samprati. its last renovation was accomplished on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the month of Vaishakh in the year 1872 of the Vikram era. The lamp is kept burning there continuously. It emits saffron powder.

The splendid temple and the natural caves on this hill present fascinating sight. In the caves there are great tanks for storing water, oil, and ghee. These caves were made in the times of Emperor Ashok for Buddhist monks for the spread of Buddhism Memories of great men are also associated with these caves. Narsinh Mehta was born in this Village of Talaja.

Other Temples : Besides this temple, there are temples of Chintamani Parshvanath Bhagawan, Mahavir Swami Bhagawan and the Gurumandir with idols Gautam Swami, Sudharma Swami. Jambu Swami, Kalikalasarvjna Hemchandrasurishvarji, Vruddhichandasurishvarji and King Kumarpal. There are two temples in the Village. There the chief idols are of Bhagawan Shantinath and Bhagawan Mallinath shine brightly.

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