Chulagiri(Shri Bavangajaji) Tirth

Mulnayak: Nearly 2550 cms.high, brown-colored idol of Bhagawan Adinath in the Khadgasana posture.

How to Reach: It is on the highest Chulgiri peak of the Satpuda hill. The nearest railway station of Mahuva is at a distance of 130 kilometers, Khandva is at a distance of 185 kilometers and the nearest village of Badva is at a distance of 8 kilometers. The ascending road on the hill begins from this village. There are 800 steps for climbing the hill. Swinging cots are available for the old and the weak. Bus service and private vehicles are available for going to and coming from the foot of the hill. . There are board and lodging provisions.

Art and Architecture: Tirthanakar     Charan of Muni meghnath and kumbhkaran

Historicity:

The most sacred and highest peak (altitude 641 m)of Chulagiri Also called Bawangaja is crowned by a compact temple in which every availalble space along the inner walls is occupied by Jina images, free-standing and in high relief Hardly a day passes without family groups of pilgrims, after paying homage to the 25.6 m high rock-cut statue of Adinatha ascending the numerous flights of steps that take them up to this temple raised on a high plinth. Once there, an all-around grandiose view opens up for them. The centre of worship in this temple are not, however, the Jinas but a pair of footprints, carved from black stone and flanked by two snialldr ones, in the inner sanctum. According to a Digambara legend, it was here that Kumbhakama, the brother of Ravana and his son Indrajit attained salvation after they had accepted the teaching of the Tirthankaras and renounced violence.

It is believed that this idol was made and installed nearly 3000 years ago. The stone inscriptions and the artistic images on the hill show the antiquity of this place. The world-famous idol is made from a single stone. Not only in India but in the whole world, it is difficult to find such a splendid, attractive and beautiful idol. On the face of the idol of Bhagawan Adinath in the Kayotsarga posture, there are expressions of detachment and peace. It arouses deep devotion in the heart of the pilgrim. The sculpture of this idol is extraordinary. Every organ and sub-organ is well-shaped. On the face, there are expressions, of aversion to worldly pleasures, compassion and a smile. The height of the idol which is 84 feet is, it seems, indicative of the prayer to liberate the devotees from 84 lakhas of yonis. In olden times, the length of hand was roughly called a gaj. Since this idol was nearly 52 hands high, the idol is called bavangajaji. Kumbhakarna, the younger brother of Ravana, the King of Shri Lanka and Indrajit, the son of Ravana together with many sadhus attained here the final liberation. Their ancient foot-idols are here. Every twelve years, the festival of Mahamastakabhisek is celebrated. On that occassion innumerrable pilgrims come here from the whole of India and get the benefit of God’s worship. On this hill, there are ten other temples and many ancient idols. The 400 cms high idol of Bhagawan Shantinath in the Khadgasana posture is extremely ancient. There are 21 other temples at the foot of the hill. From this hill one can see the river Narmada flowing in the front. The scene is indeed full of beauty and wonder.

Trust: Shri Chulgiri Digambar Jain Siddhakshetra (Bavanagajaji)
Gam - Badvani 451551, Dist - Khargon, State : Madhya Pradesh, India.