Shri Pavagadh Tirth
Mulnayak
White - colored idol of Bhagawan Parshvanath in the padmasana posture.
Tirth
On the hill of Pavagadh near the town of Champaner, it is at the height of 925 meters from the sea-level.
Historicity
This sacred place belongs to the times Ramchandra, the king of Ayodhya. The Greek geographer Tolemi, who journeyed to India in the year 140 A. D. regarded this temple as an ancient and holy place. In the year 1540 of the Vikram era, Mohammed Begdo, the Muslim sultan, heavily impaired this temple. Later on, on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the month of magh of the year 1937 of Vikram era, this temple was formally installed under the auspices of the Digambar Bhattarak, Kanakakirti Maharaj. There was a time when this temple was regarded as holy as the Shetrunjaya temple. On the thirteenth day of the bright half of the month of Magh every year, a fair is held here and a flag is hoisted on this Digambar temple. There is a reference that Lav and Kush, the sons of Ramchandraji, the king of Ayodaya and a number of monks also practiced penance here and attained salvation. This place is, therefore, known as Siddhkshetra.
Other Temples
At present, there are seven other Digambar temples on the hill and there are two Digambar temples in the town of Champaner at the foot of the hill.
Works of art and Sculpture
There are ruined of ancient temples and artistic relics of extraordinary craftsmanship are found here. Natural beauty can be enjoyed only by direct observation. The caves of Pavagadh are worth seeing.
Guidelines
The nearest railway station is the station of Pavagadh on the Vadodara - Ratlam railway. Pilgrims have to ascend on foot the path of the hill. The path is nearly five kilometers long. The foot of the hill is known as the Pavagadh station and the Champaner town. There are Digambara Dharmashalas and Bhojanashalas at the foot of the hill.
Trust
Shri Digambar Jain Siddhakshetra Kothi, Pavagadh : 389360 Dist. Panchmahals, Gujarat State, India.