 Shri Digamber Jain Atishaya Kshetra located in Gopachal in Madhya Pradesh is a Jain pilgrimage centre. Is an Atishaya Kshetra i.e. Place of Miracles. Gopachal Atishaya Kshetra is located in the Gwalior Fort. The place is famous for housing magnificent idols. This is one among the ancient forts of India. This is one of the most unconquerable forts in India, which was built by Raja Man Singh Tomar in the 15th century.
History of Shri Digamber Jain Atishaya Kshetra According to the history of Shri Digambar Jain Atishaya Kshetra the idols installed on the hill were made during the period of King Dungar Singh and Keerti Singh of Tomar Dynasty. The idols is said to date between V.S. 1398 to V.S. 1536. As per historical records Babur, the ruler of the Mughal Dynasty occupied the fort in V.S. 1557. He had ordered his soldiers for the destruction of the idols. However, when the idol was stroked a miraculous incident took place that forced them to leave the place and run away. Temple of Shri Digamber Jain Atishaya Kshetra Shri Digamber Jain Atishaya Kshetra has been famous for the beautiful Jain temples that are located here. The main deity of this place is Lord Parshvanatha. The idol is 42 feet high and 30 feet wide. It has been attractively carved and looks very beautiful. There are 26 Jain Temples and one Trikal Chaubeesee Mandir located on the hill. Gopachal is the place of precept by Lord Parshvanatha and is also the place of salvation of Shri 1008 Supratishtha Kevali. During the rule of the Mughal Dynasty several idols were destroyed. The ruins of these idols can be seen lying around the fort. There are almost 1500 idols on this hill that range from different sizes from 6 inch to 57 feet in height. These idols have been made through rock carving and have been magnificently carved that depict the skills of the artists. Thus the complete fort seems a vast temple of Jain idols. The fort also houses an attractive and striking idol of Lord Parshvanatha. The idol is 42 feet in height and 30 feet in breadth and is seated in a padmasana posture. Apart from this there are 60 other Jain Temples located here. These idols are of both new and ancient types located in Gwalior City. These temples are surrounded by scenic beauty that mesmerizes the pilgrims visiting the place. The temple organises many annual functions. The annual birth anniversary of Lord Parshvanatha is celebrated in the month of Pausha Krishna. On the Shravan Shukla the Day of salvation of Lord Parshvanatha is commemorated. The Birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira is celebrated in the month of Chaitra Shukla. Diwali is also observed in the month of Kartika. Shri Digamber Jain Atishaya Kshetra is well connected to road, rail and air. Gwalior is connected with all the major cities by road. Busses are available from all places for Gwalior. Taxies or Auto Rickshaws are also available for this Kshetra. |
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