Shri
Pavagadh Tirth
Mulnayak: White
- colored idol of Bhagawan Parshvanath in the Padmasana posture.
How
to reach: On the
hill of Pavagadh near the town of Champaner, it is at the height of 925 meters from the
sea-level. The nearest railway station is the station of Pavagadh on the Vadodara - Ratlam
railway. It is 53 Kms from Vadodara. Pilgrims have to climb on foot the path of the hill.
The path is nearly five kilometers long. The foot of the hill is know as the Pavagadh
station and the Champaner town. There are Dharmashala and Bhojanashalas at the foot of the
hill.
Historicity: This sacred place belongs to the period of Ramchandraji, the king of Ayodhya. The Greek
geographer Tolemi, who journeyed to India in the year 140 A. D. regarded this temple as an
ancient and holy place. In the year 1540 of he Vikram era, Mohammed Begdo, the Muslim
sultan, plundered this temple. Later on, on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the
month of Magh of the year 1937 of Vikram era, this temple was formally installed under the
auspices of the Digambar Bhattarak, Kanakakirti Maharaj. There was a time when this temple
was regarded as holy as the Shetrunjay temple. On the thirteenth day of the bright half of
the month of Magh every year, a fair is held here and a flag is hoisted on this Digambar
temple. There is a reference that Lav and Kush, the sons of Ramchandraji, the king of
Ayodhya and a number of monks also practiced penance here and attained salvation. This
place is, therefore, known as Siddhakshetra.. At present, there are seven other Digambar
temples on the hill and there are two Digambar temples in the town of Champaner at the
foot of the hill. The caves of Pavagadh are worth seeing. The water fall and the river
presents a attractive view. The facility of ropeway to go to Hill is also recently
provided. The Tirth is known for the power of Kalika Devi,
the Sashan Devi of Achal Gacchadhisatayika.
Trust: Shri Digambar Jain Siddhakshetra Kothi, Pavagadh : 389360 Dist.
Panchmahals, Gujarat State, India.