Friday 27 January 2012

Mahudi Jain Temple

This derasar, considered to be one of the most sacred Jain pilgrimages, is situated in Mahudi, Mehsana District, and spreads over an area of 2 square kilometers. In ancient times, the place was known as Madhumati. The idols and artistic remains recovered from the ground show that the history of this place is nearly 2000 years old, based on the inscriptions in Brahmi script. Acharyadev Buddhi Sagarsurisvarji was inspired in a dream to install the idol of Ghantakarna Mahavir Dev in 1923 A.D. This idol is considered to have miraculous powers. Thousands of Jain devotees, as well as devotees from other backgrounds, come to receive blessings from this idol. 

Ghantakarna Mahavir was a Kshatriya (warrior) king named Tungabhadra in his previous birth and considered to be the protector of the less fortunate. So even today his idol carries his weapons a bow and arrow. It is always said that in his previous birth he was very fond of sukhadi, and so there is a tradition of all visitors offering sukhadi to him during the prayer. However, it is believed that the sukhadi should be consumed or donated before leaving the premises, otherwise it might bring bad luck. 

Next to this shrine is a bell on a height of about 30 feet and devotees climb up to ring it and ask for the fulfillment of a wish. In this vicinity there is another larger temple with a 22-inch marble idol of Bhagawan Padmaprabhu sitting in padmasana (lotus) posture, installed by Acharyadev. It is customary to take a bhoomti (circumambulation) around the 24 shrines of the tirthankaras here. The nearest railway station of Vijapur is 10 kms away. There are good bus facilities to get to Mahudi from Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Kalol. 


Facilities

Shri Ghantakarna Astha Mandal has built very modern Atithi Bhavan (Guest House) for Yatriks.
Atithi Bhavan has 36 spacious A.C. And Non A.C. rooms with hot and cold shower baths and European style toilets, 2 big halls, Kitchen and large dining Hall. Big garden with party plot is also available for any function. Parking plot is big enough to accommodate many number of vehicles. There is one nice temple of shri Ghantakarna Dev in the premises of Atithi Bhavan. For continuous water supply a overhead tank of enough capacity has been erected. Atithi Bhavan has its own Generator in case of Electric Failure. 200 to 250 Yatrik can easily be accommodated. The well trained and courteous staff is always ready with smiling face under supervision of Shri Kanu bhai Gameti. Shri Kanubhai is manager and he truly manages Atithi Bhavan very efficiently. 
Any organisation can arrange seminars, or marriages can be arranged in this well planned and equipped Atithi Bhavan. 



HOW TO REACH:

By road: Gujarat has one of the better developed road networks in India. Ahmedabad is well connected with all major cities and towns by road. Prominent bus stops are located at Gitamandir near Kalupur Railway Station and Paldi. Regular bus services are available by Gujarat state transport buses and private operators to all the major destinations of the state.

By rail: The main railway station is located in Kalupur area. This station falls under the prominent national railway circuit and is connected to all major cities of India. If you are on the western side of the Sabarmati river, then you can go to the Gandhigram station near Ashram road to buy your railway tickets easily.

By air: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport at Ahmedabad is an international airport with direct flights to USA, UK, Singapore, Dubai and other international hubs.  Numerous domestic flights are also operational from here.





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