Gajpanth

Gajpanth

Gajpanth Jain Mandir, Nashik, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Gajpanth
Gajpanth
Coordinates: 20°03′47″N 73°47′33″E / 20.0630539°N 73.7924618°E / 20.0630539; 73.7924618Coordinates: 20°03′47″N 73°47′33″E / 20.0630539°N 73.7924618°E / 20.0630539; 73.7924618
Location
Country: India
State: Maharashtra
Locale: Nashik
Architecture and culture
Primary deity: Parshvanatha
Sect Digambara

Gajpanth (also spelled as Gajpantha) is a Jain pilgrimage site (tirth-kshetra) located near the Jain temple at Nashik.[1][2] It is located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, which is located in Masrul village, found in the Nashik district, 16 kilometers from Nashik Road Railway station and 5 kilometers from Nashik City. It is situated on the top of a small hill which is 400 feet tall. Those travelling up the steep slope are aided by a staircase built in black stone, which leads directly to the temple.[3] The hill has 450 steps, 3 caves (known as 'chamar leni), and Jain temples belonging to the Digambara sect. There is also a sculpture depicting samavasarana (divine preaching hall of tirthankara) on the hills of Gajpanth.

History

Gajpanth is said to be the salvation place of seven 'Balbhadra' (saints) of the Jain Sect, known as Vijay, Achal, Sudharma, Suprabh, Nandi, Nandimitra and Sudarshan. It is believed that the saints took eight crores of Yadav Kings with them from this location to salvation.[4] It is believed that many Jain monks (or sadhus) attained moksha from this hill.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Titze, Kurt; Bruhn, Klaus (1998), Jainism, p. 81, ISBN 9788120815346
  2. ↑ "Doc firm on Santhara despite HC ban: I too want a beautiful death", The Indian Express
  3. 1 2 "Gajpantha Jain Temple", www.digambarjainonline.com
  4. ↑ "Gajpantha", Jain Heritage Centres

External links

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