Home > Society > Religion in India > Patan Jain Teerth
Patan Jain Teerth
Patan Jain Teerth is a Jain pilgrimage centre in Gujarat. The presiding deity of the temple is Bhagawan Panchasara Parshwanath.

Share this Article:

Patan Jain Teerth is a Jain pilgrimage centre. In the medieval period Patan was a capital of Gujarat. It is the administrative seat of Patan District in the Indian state of Gujarat. Patan is the city that houses many Hindu and Jain temples. The presiding deity of the temple is Bhagawan Panchasara Parshwanath.

History of Patan Jain Teerth
According to the history of the Patan Jain Teerth the city dates back to the year 802 of the Vikram Samvat Era. During this time this city was named as Anhilpur Patan. The idol is more ancient than the temple. The idol was brought by King Vanraj Chavda from Panchasara. Earlier Panchasara served as the capital of his ancestors. The king installed this beautiful idol in Patan under the auspices of Shri Sheelagunsuriji. The idol thus became famous as Panchasara Parshvanatha. Later many other temples were built here during the rule of the Kumarpal and other kings of the Chalukya Dynasty. In the year 1648 many temples were built here under the instruction of Shri Lalitprabhasursvarji. Among the list of temples made in the Vikram Samvat Era, there were 101 big temples (Derasar) and 99 small temples. Thousands of idols were installed in these temples. It is said that among these 38 idols were made of gems. Thus from year 802 till today many temples were built in the city of Patan. With time many temples got destroyed but they were renovated. Patan is referred to as the golden city. It is a rich city that has been popular for wealth, prosperity, trade and bravery. Acharya Hemchandra has written many scriptures here. Even today, Patan serves as a seat of Jain literature, art and culture.

Temple of Patan Jain Teerth
The Patan Jain Teerth houses the idol of Bhagawan Panchasara Parshwanath. The idol is nearly 120 cms in height and is white in colour. The idol is seated in a Padmasana posture. Apart from this there are many other temples located here. There are 84 big temples and 134 small temples (Derasar) in the 55 streets of this city. Besides it also houses Hemchandra Acharya`s library and many Jain institutions. The temples are magnificently designed with beautiful architectural work. As art work speak of the efficient of the craftsmen. As Patan had been a prosperous city from the ancient times, one can find relics of ancient art here. The Ranivava and the Sahasraling Lake are among ancient sculptural works. A special king of sari, Patolas are very famous even today. The temple also has provisions for lodging for the pilgrims visiting the temple. There are also many Upashrayas also.

The Patan Jain Teerth can be easily reached via rail and road. The railway station of Patan is located at a distance of three kilometres from the temple. Mehsana is at a distance of 30 kilometres, Siddhpur is at a distance of 19 kilometres and Charup is at a distance of 10 kilometres from here.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Religion in India


Religion in Indus Valley Civilization
Religion in Indus Valley Civilisation included Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Details about the religion in Indus Valley Civilization have been gathered from archaeological artefacts.
Shaivism Religion
Shaivism is the second largest “religious community” in modern India with its roots deeply seated in the Hindu Vedic belief.
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is among the more popular denominations of Hinduism, with its own distinctive ideas about spirituality and morality. Vaishnavism concentrates on worshipping god Vishnu and of his incarnations.
Hinduism Religion
Hinduism is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
Islam
Islam is a religion that beliefs in Allah as the one and only God and creator of the Universe. Islamic law or Sharia is characterised by the five pillars of Islam which comprise the essential duties of every Muslim.
Christianity
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and it is the largest religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs, practices and traditions that are chiefly based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and its later disciples.
Jainism
Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism in India shared with Hinduism and Buddhism. It is an integral part of South Asian religious belief and practice, but it is not a Hindu sect and not a Buddhist heresy, as earlier scholars believed.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, closely related to Judaism, Christianity and Islam was founded by Zoroaster.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion started by Guru Nanak in land of Punjab in 15th century A.D.