Mahaveer Swami Temple

• Mahaveer Swami Temple

City : Ahmedabad

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.

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 Karnavati 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 Fakir’s 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 noise, unite 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.