Shri Adinath Digambar Jain Atishaya Kshetra located in Sarwar in Rajasthan is a Jain pilgrimage centre. It is an Atishaya Kshetra i.e. Place of Miracles. The temple is dedicated to Lord Adinath or Bhagwan Rishabh Dev, the first Tirthankara.
History of Adinath Digambar Jain Atishaya Kshetra
According to history the Adinath Digambar Jain Atishaya Kshetra dates back to 2000 years when the city served as the capital of Gour Kings. It is believed that in ancient times Sarwar was the centre of Jains. The place served as a renowned and prosperous city. An inscription of V.S. 1125 described about the reconstruction of the temple and the also about the idol of the principal deity Lord Adinath that is almost 900 years old. Another inscription is related to Kishangarh State of V.S. 1190, 1151, 1204, 1656. 42 idols old that dates back to 2000 years or more were found underneath the ground on 7th of July 1990. All the idols have been carved of Black Stone.
The temple is associated with many miracles. It is believed that the idol of Lord Adinath was brought from the Chittorgarh Fort. In the year 1197 A.D. the general of Muhammad Ghori, Qutub- Ud- Din Aibak came here with a huge force to destroy the temple and idols. It is said as he entered the temple a dense flock of honey bees attacked fiercely on the invaders. Thus they were forced to run away but the bees followed them until they bowed their heads in front of the idol of Adinath. An idol of Qutub- Ud- Din Aibak can be seen here standing with hands folded and bowing his head. The statue stands as a proof of the miraculous event.
Temple of Adinath Digambar Jain Kshetra
The Adinath Digambar Jain Kshetra is vast in size and houses Digambara, Swetambara and Hindu temples in different parts of it. The main idol of the deity, Lord Adinath is very attractive. It is made of white stone and is seated in a padmasana posture. Apart from these there are other temples like the Shri Suparshavnath Temple and Shri Chandraprabha Digambar Jain Temple located here.
The Temple of Adinath Digambar Jain Kshetra organises annual gatherings. A grand festival is organized every year on the birthday of Lord Adinath in the month of Chaitra Krishna. Mahavir Jayanti is also celebrated on the Chaitra Shukla every year. The temple has provisions for dharamshalas or rest houses for the pilgrims. It is well connected to road, rail and air. Busses and Taxies are available from Ajmer and Kota. The nearest railway station is located in Ajmer while the nearest airport is situated in Jaipur.
