Information of Adishwar Temple, Bhavnagar, Gujarat (History, Mythology, Architecture)

Adishwara Temple is one of the great Jain temples situated in Palitana city of Gujarat. It is a dazzling temple with excellent architecture, situated on Shetrunjaya hill, which is about 6 kilometre near the Palitana city. There are about 700 temples in Shetrunjaya hill and out of them, Adishwara Temple is quite popular among people. The creativity and carving of this temple appropriately demonstrate ancient arts and design.

Adishwar Temple Religious Significance

Adishwara Temple is also regarded as the eternal tirth place. In traditional times, the city Palitana, where the temple is situated was termed as Pundarikgiri. Being considerable number of temples in the city, Palitana is regarded as a famous pilgrimage centre for devotees around the state. Adishwara Temple is Palitana is quite religious among Jains. Devotees come to this temple, take bath in the river near the hill and bow down to the idols in order to show reverence to the key lord. Most importantly, devotees must not take any food inside the temple and also they require to cover the trip to the temple before sunset, because it is difficult for any person to walk through the steps in dark.

Adishwara Temple is dedicated to lord Adinath, who is also known as lord Rishabha. He was well-known as the first Jain Tirthankar. In accordance with Jain conviction, lord Adinath existed even before the development of human civilisation. Therefore, through teaching various cultured activities such as agriculture and animal tending among others, he helped in developing human civilisation. After becoming a siddha and attaining salvation, he started to be worshipped by Jains. Adishwara Temple was created in order to give tribute to him.

Adishwar Temple Mythology

Adishwara Temple was refurbished about 16 times since its creation. Most specifically, the 13th renovation of temple was done by a rich merchant named Seth Javed Shah in the year 108. Legend says that, on that time, he spend about one million gold for the renovation of the temple. From time to time, different kings and rulers have renovated Adishwara Temple and brought new structures to it. The final restoration of the temple occurred in the year 1587 by Karama Shah. Due to such renovation activities, the temple has become quite popular among travellers. Apart from worshipping, people also want to visit the temple in order to enjoy its beautiful architecture.

Adishwara Temple has obtained much traditional stories related with it. It is believed that if any person manages to constrict himself throughout an extremely small opening in a specific room of the temple, then he/she can become a person, who is barren of some sins. It is whispered that hiking up the Shetrunjaya hill of Adishwara Temple will direct to the blessings of lord Adinath. In the temple, devotees apply vermilion on the forehead, whereas some devotees also found to wash the feet of the disciples and distribute Prasad to people. By worshipping at Adishwara Temple, devotees intends to cleanse their sins and to turn into a part of good endeavour.

Adishwar Temple Architectural Significance

Adishwara Temple has very unique architecture. Devotees usually visit the temple with the heavenly intention of mounting the Shetrunjaya hill, once in their life. Being an opulence hunter, devotees ask for the spirituality which is related with the temple. The journey of Adishwara Temple is indisputably quite demanding. There is need to climb about 4000 stone made steps which require about 60 minutes in order to reach to the temple. For elder individuals or for those who cannot climb that much can avail the facility of 'Dolis'. It is a medium, drifted by two persons in order to make at the top of the hill. Overall, Adishwara Temple is a fine architecture of traditional craftsmanship.