Shri Bhadreshwar Jain Tirth — Attraction in Bhadresar

Mulnayak : Nearly 61 cms. high, white – coloured idol of Mahavir Swami in the Padmasana posture. Previously, Parshvanath Bhagwan was the Mulnayak. Now this amazing and miraculous idol of Shyamala Parshvanath is installed in the 25th Deri in the temple. The black – coloured idol of Parshvanath is nearly 68 cms. high in the padmasana posture.

Tirth : It is a lonely beautiful place on the sea – shore outside the Bhadreshwar village. This idol of Bhagwan Parshvanath is more than 2,500 years old.

Historicity : Bhadravati was the ancient name of this place. Today, this city is known as Bhadreshwar or Vasai. There are references to this city existing during the times of the Mahabharata. This city was the Karmabhoomi of Vijay Sheth and Vijaya Shetani who hold a prominent place in Jain history. Although being married to each other, they were "Akhand Brahmachari" (celibate) for life. Devchandra Shresthi was very religious and wanted to build a temple. 23years after the Nirvana of Bhagwan Mahaveer, he laid the foundation stone for this temple. He built a beautiful and glorious temple here like a Dev Viman. The idol of Bhagwan Parshvanath was ceremonially installed by the revered hands of "Kevali Shri Kapil Muni" 45 years after the Nirvana of Bhagwan Mahaveer. Vijay Sheth and Vijaya Shetani took "Diksha" on this occasion. Idols installed by Shri Kapil Kevli are rare and this is the prestigious point of this temple. Maharaja Samprati, Kanak Chavda, Maharaja Kumarpal, Vastupal-Tejpal have all renovated this temple. There are references showing that this temple was renovated by Shrimali brothers in the year 1134 and by Sheth Shri Jagdu Shah in the year 1312-1313 of the Vikram era. In Vikram year 1313 during the catastrophe of an extensive acute famine for three years, Jagdu Shah showed his generosity and magnanimity by helping the people with free distribution of food grains and clothing and opening shelter houses. In course of time, the city was considerably damaged including the temple. A muni took the idol of Shri Parshvanath and hid it in a basement for its safety. It was rebuilt in 1662.Today it is a well managned and spectacular temple.

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Bhadreshwar Jain Tirth, also known as Vasai Jain Temple, is a significant Jain pilgrimage site located in Bhadreshwar village, Mundra Taluka, Kutch district, Gujarat, India. Situated approximately 75 kilometers south of Bhuj and about a kilometer from the seashore, the temple is renowned for its historical importance and architectural beauty.

Historical Significance:

The origins of Bhadreshwar are steeped in antiquity, with some accounts suggesting the city's founding around 516 BC. Oral traditions claim that the first temple was established approximately 2,500 years ago, about 45 years after the death of Lord Mahavir, though concrete evidence to support this is lacking. Over the centuries, the temple has undergone several renovations, notably by Jagdusha, a Jain merchant and philanthropist, in 1125 AD.

Architectural Highlights:

Constructed entirely of white marble, the temple features majestic pillars and houses 52 small shrines, each dedicated to different Tirthankaras. The main sanctum enshrines an ancient idol of Lord Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara. The intricate carvings and serene ambiance make it a remarkable example of Jain architecture.

Visiting Information:

Timings: The temple is open daily from 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM.

Entry Fee: There is no entry fee for visitors.

Accommodation: While the temple complex offers lodging facilities for Jain pilgrims, non-Jain visitors are advised to seek accommodation in nearby towns, as overnight stays within the temple premises may not be permitted.

Nearby Attractions:

In addition to the Jain temple, Bhadreshwar is home to two historically significant mosques built in the late 12th century. These structures showcase a unique blend of early Indian and Islamic architectural elements, reflecting the region's diverse cultural heritage.

Best Time to Visit:

The ideal time to visit Bhadreshwar is during the cooler months, from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and conducive for sightseeing.

Bhadreshwar Jain Tirth offers a tranquil setting for spiritual reflection and an opportunity to appreciate the rich history and architectural splendor of Jain...

Perhaps one of the most under-appreciated sites of great significance for India's religious history is Bhadreshwar, barely a kilometer from the coast, 69 km east of Mandvi, past Mundra, and 75 km south of Bhuj. The Jain religion, like other religions of Indian origin, places considerable importance on the act of pilgrimage and Bhadreshwar is one of the major centers of Jain pilgrimage in Gujarat. Unreliable reports claim the city was founded in 516 BC, and oral accounts state that the first temple was built “2500 years ago, about 45 years after the death of Lord Mahavir,” but there is no evidence to either support or debunk that claim. The main temple is strikingly beautiful, in all white marble with majestic pillars. Around the central one are 52 smaller shrines, one of which reputedly holds the original Parshavanath idol from 500 BC Non-Jains cannot spend the night in the temple complex, but other lodging is available in town. In addition to the Jain complex, there are also two mosques which are reliably dated to the late 12th century, meaning they predate the well-known Islamic architecture of Ahmedabad by 250 years or so, making them in all likelihood the first mosques built in India. Their existence indicates that Iranian seagoing traders arrived on the coast of Gujarat at least 50 years before Islam swept into Delhi by land. As such, they are much more stark, austere, constructions, without the flowery embellishments of the later period, but they are also the first mosques to incorporate Indian architectural elements into Islamic constructions. According to at least one researcher's extensive study, the style indicates that this blending was not done because they plundered Hindu temple ruins for parts or only employed Hindu craftsmen, but was a more deliberate incorporation of design elements according to the tastes of...