Shri Avanti Tirth

Mulnayak: 120 cms. high,
black-colored idol of Bhagawan Avanti Parshvanath in the
Padmansana posture.
How to Reach: It is in the
city of Ujjain. From the main railway station this temple is at a distance of one and a
half kilometers. Ujjain is at a distance of 56 kilometers from Indore. Board and lodging
provisions are there. Bus service and private vehicles are available.
Historicity: The ancient name of this city was Avantika Puskararanjini.
Avanti Sukumar received instructions, took diksa and while practising penance, he attained
the final liberation. His son Mahakal under instructions of Arya Suhastisurishvarji, built
this splendid temple as a memento of his father. This tirth is believed to be 250 years
old. Then it witnessed many falls and risings. Many Acharyas used their influence to add
to the grandeur of this tirth. In the times of Bhagawan Mahavir, King Chandrapradyot made
this idol of sandalwood. In course of time, when this tirth was in the domain of the kings
who were devotees of Shiva, the learned Acharya Siddhasen Diwakar composed the very
impressive Kalyan Mandir Stotra against the order of the king. Under its influence, a
beautiful idol of Bhagawan Parshvanath appeared from the lustrous idol of shiva and the
Jain religion gained prominence. In the seventh century of the Vikra era, Acharya
Mantungasuri showed a miracle to King Bhoj and impressed him by composing the Bhaktramar
stotra. In the eleventh centuiry, Shantisuriji defeated 84 disputants in the royal court
and gained great honour. Thus many stories regarding the spread of the Jain religion are
associated with this place. There are 25 more jain temples in Ujjain.
Trust: Shri Avantika Parshvanath Tirth, Anant Peth, Dani Darwaja, Ujjain
- 456001. State : Madhya Pradesh, India.