Mulnayak |
Tirth
| Historicity |
Other Temples |
Works of art and Sculpture |
Guidelines |
Trust
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Photo Gallery
Mulnayak : White colored Bhagwan Mahavir Swami in the
Padmasana Posture.
Tirth : It is in the front of the Fatasapole on the Gandhi
road in Ahmedabad.
Historicity : This temple is very ancient. There is a referene
that it belong to a period earlier than the year 1662 of the Vikram era. In the year 1922
of the Vikram era, this temple was rebuilt by Sheth Umabhai Rupchand, a resident of
Fatasapole at the expenses of Rs. 50000. The idol of Bhagwan Mahavir belongs to the times
of King. Samprati. In the year 1922 of the Vikram era, it was found from the residential
place of a muslim Fakir, outside the Jamalpur gate of the Ahmedabad city. In those days,
there was no railway line in India.One could go on a pilgrimage on foot in a sangha. Once
a sangha of Palitana was to set out on a pilgrimage. Only the well-to-do could join the
sangha. A Jain gentleman often used to go to the Fakirs place. He wished to go on a
pilgrimage but his monetary condition was not good. He was, therefore, feeling uneasy and
agonised. Once the Fakir saw him in a pensive mood and asked him the reason for it. He
then told the fact. Fakir requested him to be free from worries and asked him to prepare
for the pilgrimage. Next day, Fakir took him to the cellar of his house, and showed him
the idol. The Fakir always kept a lamp of ghee and and incense - stick burning before the
idol. The Fakir bound a bandage round the eyes of the Jain gentleman and said to him,
" I shut the celler. Recite the mantra of your dharma and when you hear a noise, untie
the bandage tied round your eyes." He did so and found himself sitting with his
luggage, among the pilgrims at the foot of the the mountain in Palitana. Then he returned
with the sangha. Then he always bowed his head to the idol. After some time, the Fakir
fell ill. Then he requested the Jain gentleman to take away the idol. He was afraid that
after his death, his caste - fellows would break the idol. On his reqeust, the idol was
installed in this temple. Devotees do not miss to pay obeisance to the idol on the first
day of the bright half of the month of Kartak i.e. the new year day, on the 13th day of
the bright half of the month of Chaira i.e. the birth Kalyanak day of Bhagawan Mahavir,
and on the first day of the bright half of the month of Bhadrapad i.e. the birth - reading
day of Bhagawan. They come in a large number. The idol is adorned with rich dress and
ornaments. The heirs of this rich merchant are alive. A flag is hoisted on his birth day..
Other Temples : There are 350 to 400 pinnacled temples in residential places in Ahmedabad
(Ahmedabad).
Works of art and Sculpture : This temple has a dome. On the open square, there
are excellent sculptural carvings of goddesses. in the terrace, pavapuri the place of
nirvana of Mahavir is constructed of marble. There are metal idols of the twenty four
Tirthankars. There is a silver coated carved fort of Astapadji. There is a bluish cristal
idol of Bhagwan Shantinath. A bulb of electricity is not used at all in this temple. The
temple is lighted with lamps burnt with coconut oil. The atmosphere is full of joy and
peace.
Guidelines : This temple is at a distance of 2 kilometers from
the railway station. There are boarding and lodging provisions nearby.
Trust : Shri Fatasapole Mahavir Swami Jain Derasar Trust,
45, Gandhi Road, Near Mahavir Derasar, Ahmedabad ; 380001, State : Gujarat, India.
Bhagawan Mahavir Swami

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