Art and architecture: Bhagwan Pushpdant      Bhagwan bahubali            Bhagwan parsvanath
Historicity: Madhuban, the eastermnost Jaina 'temple-city', embedded among trees at the foot of Parashnath Hill (better known as Sammeta Shikhara or Sametshikhar), comes to life hours before sunrise. As early as three in the morning the Pirst pilgrims, the youngest safely tied to the back of an adult, set out on their long uphill hike by the light of torches. By the time of their return in the afternoon, they will have walked about twenty-seven kilometres: nine up, nine round the five peaks, and nine back to Madhuban. Joining a group of pilgrims on their way to the top of this holy. mountain is an unforgettable experience even for a newcomer to Jainism. The upper nine kilometres - they ought to be walked barefooted - are laid out in such a way th they guide even the inexperienced pilgrim to all the twenty and more holy spots marked by small shrines (tonks) containing footprints. but leave the highest elevation (1360 m above sea level) to the very last. It is this last summit, visible from afar and readily recognized by its lofty temple, at which Parshvanatha is believed to have attained nirvana at the age of one hundred. That was some time in the eighth century BC. Within the temple. in an underground cell, it is once again the Jaina symbol denoting nirvana - a pair of rock-cut footprints - onto which the pilgrims focus their rites of worship

The history of this tirth is very ancient. Twenty Tirthankaras of the preset group of twenty- four tirthnkaras and a number of Tirthankaras of the past groups of twenty- four Tirthankaras, attained salvation on this holy land. There is a reference that in the second century Acharya Padliptasuriji came on a pilgrimage to this place by akashgamini vidya. Palganj was the original foot of Samet Shikhar and the present-day Madhuvan is at a distance of 20 kilometers from Palganj. Madhuvan is the present-day foot of the hill. Since it was the land of penance and of nirvana of many Tirthankaras and Sadhus, every particle of this land is great, holy, and adorable. A touch of this land purifies the human birth. A pilgrimage to this sacred place removes trouble adds to religious merits (punya) and destroys bad karma of devotees. This tirth was renovated many times and its last renovation was accomplished sometime between the years 1803 and 1841 of the Vikram era. Sheth Khushaldas often came on a pilgrimage to this place and the idols had become very old. It was difficult to identify the places of nirvana of different Tirthankaras. Therefore, according to instructions of Devavijayagani, he practiced the penance of a three-day fast (attham) and muttered prayers (jaap) to Padmavatidevi. He saw a dream. Accordingly, he saw on the hill an auspicious figure of Swastika with particular numbers. The places of nirvana of tirthnkaras were fixed according to the numbers. With blessings of the goddess, Khushaldas built small temples of foot idols of these twenty Tirthankaras, a large temple named jalmandir, the Kothi dharmashala at the Madhuvan foot of the hill, the temple of Bhomiyadev and the seven temples of shamaliyaji Parshvanath and others. He thus performed immortal acts of religious worship.

When His Holiness Acharyadev Sagaranandasurishvarji came on a pilgrimage to this place in the year 1980-81 of the Vikram era, the twenty-second renovation of this great sacred place was begun according to his wish in the year 23012 of the Vikram era. Under the auspices of Maneksagarsurishvarji Maharaja, disciple of His Holiness Sagarandasurishvarji, the jalmandir and the twenty-nine Devkulikas were installed.

AS the name suggests, Madhuvan, the foot of the hill is really a beautiful forest. At this foot of the hill surrounded by hills, trees, gardens and natural beauty, there is temple of Bhomiyadev. There is a splendid hill-shaped idol. It is very impressive. By merely seeing him, one makes one’s journey comfortable. This actually wakeful idol protects the denoted pilgrims who pray to it and removes their obstacles. There are also a dharmashal, a bhojanashal, a beautiful garden and a group of eleven temples. They remind one of the chief tunk of Palitana. The ascent on the hill begins from a little distance beyond the Bhomiyadev temple. The ascent of six miles, six miles of round journey for seeing the tunk and descent of six miles make a journey of 18 miles. If the journey is begun at about 5 o’clock in the morning, it is completed at about 4 O’clock in the evening. For a pilgrim, it is desirable to keep a torch and a stick with him. For using on the journey, food is given to the pilgrims, when they return. It is convenient to ascent by the way of the Jalmandir and descends by the way of the tunk of Bhagawan Parshvanath. When the pilgrims climb half the distance, the tonks of nirvana places of Bhagawan are seen.

After devotedly and respectfully bowing to Tirthankaras and Sadhus from this highest tunk and strongly wishing to make all souls interested in religion, one returns to Madhuvan. On the way downward, there is a Dak bungalow. There is also the Gadharvanal where food is given for using on the journey. From the hill, the group of peaks of temples below, looks like a divine city. The building style and artistry of all temples of Madhuvan are beautiful and spectacular. With full devotion, pilgrims come to an end of the great pilgrimage to Samet Shikhar, the land of nirvana of Bhagawan Parshvanath who is free from attachment and aversion.

In Madhuvan at the foot of the hill, there are eight temples, two Dadawadis and the temple of Bhomiyaji Maharaja. Besides, there are eight temples of Digamber Vispantthis and nine temples of Digambar Terapanthis.

Trust: Shri Jain Svetamber Sangha Kothi Madhuvan, Dist: Girdih, State: Bihar, India.