Ahichchhatra Jain temples

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The Ahichchhatra Jain temples is a group of Jain temples in Ahichchhatra village in Aonla tehsil of Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh, North India. Ahichchhatra is believed to be the place where Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankar of Jainism, attained Kevala Jnana.

Jain tradition

File:Ahichchhatra excavation - Parshvanatha idol - 7th century BCE.jpg

Parshvanatha sculpture excavated from Ahichchhatra, 7th century BCE

The history of Ahichchhatra traditionally starts from the period of Rishabhanatha, the first tirthankara. According to Digambara belief, it was visited by all 24 Tirthankaras. Ahichchhatra is believed to be the place where Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankar of Jainism, attained Kevala gyana (omniscience).Template:Sfn According to Jain texts, it was visited by Parshvanatha during vihara; in an attempt to obstruct Parshvanatha from achieving Kevala Jnana, Kamath, his elder brother, caused continuous rain. Parshvanatha was immersed in water up to his neck but was protected by the serpent God Dharanendra, who held a canopy of a thousand hoods over his head, and the Goddess Padmavati who coiled herself around his body. Following this event, the place was renamed to Ahichchhatra (Template:Translation).Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

History

Ahichchhatra was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas.Template:Sfn It was considered an important town when Hiuen Tsang visited India in the 7th century CE.Template:Sfn Several ancient Jain āyāgapaṭa were excavated from this site, including the famous Nāṃdighoṣa āyāgapaṭa dated early Template:Circa.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Template:Sfn 27 Jain inscriptions discovered here bear dates prior to 100 CE.Template:Sfn

Alois Anton Führer excavated a Jain temple constructed during the reign of Indo-Scythians dynasty, enhrining idols from 96—152 CE.Template:Sfn A number of Jain temples were discovered by Alexander Cunningham during excavation.Template:Sfn Many idols, stupas and pillars from the Kushan and Gupta periods have been discovered in Ahichchhatra.Template:Sfn

Vividha Tirtha Kalpa, composed by Śvetāmbara Acharya Jinaprabha Suri in the 14th century CE, mentions Samkhyāvatǐ as the earlier name of Ahichchhatra and describes two Jain temples dedicated to Parshvanatha in the area.Template:Sfn According to Ahicchatra-nagri-kalpa, this place was visited by Goddess Ambika.Template:Sfn Kaivalyamala, written by Śvetāmbara Jain acharya Udyotansuri in Template:Circa CE,Template:Sfn Template:Sfn mentions that Harigupta of the Gupta Empire took diksha here.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

Temples

File:Shri Ahichchhatra Parshvanath Atishaya Kshetra Digamber Jain Mandir - Main Vedi (3).jpg

Parshvanath idol commonly known as Tikhal wale Baba

File:Ahichchhatra Shwethambar Tirth (5).jpg

Shwetambar Jain temple

The temples in Ahichchhatra were built to commemorate Parshvanatha attaining Kēvalajñāna kalyāṇaka.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

Digambara Jain temple

The Digambara Jain temple was initially constructed during the reign of King Vasupal. The temple was later reconstructed in 1975. The temple contains 7 vedis, one of which has a Template:Convert idol of Mahavira while others house idols of Parshvanatha in different postures. The main idol of the temple dates back to the 10th century and is popularly known as Tikhal wale Baba.Template:Sfn

This temple, dedicated to Parshvanatha, is a major Jain pilgrimage center.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn According to Uttar Pradesh Tourism, over Template:Lakh people visited Ahichchhatra Jain Temple in 2019.Template:Sfn

Tis Chaubisi temple

The Tis Chaubisi temple was constructed in 2002 CE. The temple houses 720 idols of the 24 Tirthankaras. The mulnayak of this temple is a Template:Convert idol of Parshvanatha.Template:Sfn

Bhagwan Parshvanath-Padmavati temple

The Bhagwan Parshvanath-Padmavati temple was constructed in 2007 CE. The temple houses an idol of Parshvanatha in the centre with idols of Dharanendra and Padmavati on either side.Template:Sfn

Chaubisi temple

The Chaubisi temple is built beside the old Digambara Jain temple in an area spanning Template:Convert.Template:Sfn

Shwetambar Jain temple

The Shwetambar temple is a beautiful structure known for its unique architecture. The temple is made of buff sandstone and houses a thousand images of the Jain pantheon.Template:Sfn

Both Digambara and Shwetambar Jain temple also have a dharamshala equipped with all modern facilities and bhojnalaya.Template:Sfn

Fair

Ahichchhatra Jain Mela is the primary festival of this temple and is organized annually in March.Template:Sfn

Gallery

Bhagwan Parshvanath-Padmavati temple

Bhagwan Parshvanath-Padmavati temple
Tis Chaubisi temple

Tis Chaubisi temple
Ahichchhatra ancient village temple

Ahichchhatra ancient village temple
Ahichchhatra Digambar Lal temple

Ahichchhatra Digambar Lal temple
Digamabar Jain temple murals

Digamabar Jain temple murals

References

Citation

Sources

Book

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