Archive for December 29, 2008
Parshavanath Temple, Nakoda - Barmer , Rajasthan
Parshavanath Temple, Nakoda, Rajasthan
About Parshavanath Temple - Location
Nakoda pilgrimage, built in the desert land of Rajasthan, bears a gloriously pious dignity. Dedicated to Jain Tirthankara Shri Parshavanath, this temple was built by the Mandlik family in 1458-59 A.D.
It is situated on a beautiful hill as high as 1500ft on the road from Jodhpur to Barmer.
The Temple at Nakoda is one among the main Jain tirth centres in India. Because of the importance given to Adhisthayak in India, tirth is always full of pilgrims.
Architecture of the Parshavanath Temple
This is the tallest of all temples having three storeyes. The outer walls of the sanctum have beautiful sculptures in gray sandstone showing Dikpals, Vidhyadevis, Yakshinis and Shalabhanjikas. These beautiful sculptures are frequently compared to the ones in Khajuraho and Konark temples.
There is an image of the Jain saint (tirthankara) Parshvanath in black stone and the ancient idol of Shri Parshwanath Bhagwan is very attractive and full of magical powers. It is said that 2300 years ago two brothers namely Veersen & Nakorsen has built up this city and the temples.
The main temple consists of the teerth Adhiraj idol along with the idols of Shri Adinath Bhagwan & Shri Shantinath Bhagwan in other temples in its campus. Shri Nakoda Parshwanath Bhagwan in Padmasan mudra, 58 cm in height, is an amazing blueish colour statue. The life history of Shri Shantnath Bhagwan is displayed in form of idols and placed on the walls of Shri Shantinath Bhagwan temple.
Other Jain Temples in Nakoda
There are several small and big temples near the main temple. On the right side of the temple a magnificent idol of ‘Sanwalia’ (dusky) Parshwanath is installed. In this very chamber the idols of Mother Saraswati, Dada Jindutt Suri, Acharya Kirtiratna Suri et al are also installed. There is the magnificent temple of Lord Aadinath at the rear of the main temple. The outer arch of this temple is very artistic.
The miraculous deity of this place, Shree Bhairavji Maharaj was ceremoniously installed here in samvat 1511 by Acharya Kirtiratna Suri. This pilgrimage continuously prospered after the installation of Nakoda Bhairav. The miracles of this place found abode in the minds of the people. The devotees poured in from various places of the country and abroad.
Image Source: Wikipedia
