India : Gujarat : Attractions and Excrusions - 4

Guys, there are several other small temples which contain feet-images of Chakravarty Bharat, Lord Neminath's Ganadhar Vardatt, Lord Aadinath, Parshwanath and the images of Varikhill, Naarad, Ram, Bharat, Shuk Paribrajak, Thawachcha Putra, Selak, Suri, Jail, Mayali and other gods and goddesses. Midway, we came across Kumarpal-kund and Sala-kund as well. Near Sala-Kund lies Jinendra Toonk, in which are the idols of the gurus and the gods. Among these idols, the images of Mother Padamavati Devis is very beautiful from the art point of view.

Image Source: Google

On proceeding a little further we find the road bifurcated one leads to Nine Toonks and the other to the main Toonk of Lord Aadinath. On going towards the main Toonk, first of all Ram Pal and Goadhan Pol are seen. Further, while entering Haathi Pol, Sooraj Kund, Bheem Kund and Ishwar Kund are seen.

On the road to nine Toonks the first Toonk is that of Seth Narshi Keshav who got this Toonk built in Somvat 1921. The idol of Trithankar Shanitinath adornks this beautiful Jinalaya.

Second is the Kharatarwasahi Toonk. This is also called Chaumukhji's Toonk. This temple is built on the northern summit of the hill. This is the highest Toonk among all the Toonks built on the Shatrunjay Hill. The lafty top fo this temple can be seen from for away. The renovation of this very lafty Jinalaya was done in Samvat 1675 by Seth Sadasomji. Four huge idols of Lord Aadinath adorn this temple as the Chaumukhji facing four sides of Lord Aadinath. In this very Toonk, the temple of Tirthankar Rishabhdev's mother Marudevi is also built. At the rear portion of this temple are the idols of five Pandavas, mother Kunti and Draupadi.

The third Toonk was built by Cheepa brother; therefore it is called Cheepawasahi Toonk. Tirthankar Rishabhadev adrorns, as the principal deity, this temple which was built in Samvat 1791.
The fourth Toonk is Saakarwasahi. In this Toonk built by Seth Saakarchanad Premchand, there are teh idols of four immortal Jineshwars Rishbhanan, Chandranan, Varishen and Vardhamaan.

The sixth Toonk, Heemwasahi, was built by Heema Bhai in Samvat 1886. Here the principal deity is Lord Shree Aadinath.

The seventh is Premwasahi Toonk. Built by Modi Shree Premchandra Lavjee, the principal deity of this temple is Trithankar Shree Rishbhdev.

The eight one is Balawasahi Toon. This temple was renovated in Samvat 1193 by Bala Bhai. The principal deity of this temple is Lord Aadinath.

The ninth is Motishah Toonk. This is the biggest temple had been built by Seth Motishaha, and his worthy son Khemchand had got it consecrated on Samvat 1893. This temple is in itself a cluster of some big and some small temples. The principal deity of this temple is Lord Shree Aadinath.

A special temple has been built near Premwasahi Toonk. An 18-feet high idol of Tirthankar Aadinath in Padmasan (lotus posture) adorn this temple. This idol is also identified as "Adbhut Baba".

The idol of Tirthankar Rishabhdev adorns the main Toonk of Shatrunjay hill. This white-colored holy image is 2.19 meters high. People pine for seeing and worshipping this extremely holy idol. Just on viewing this idol, a sea of devotion surges on. It is due to the holiness of the hill and this idol that it has been said, " He who hasn't visited Shatrunjay pilgrimage is living in womb".

On the rear portion of the temple is the Ravan Tree, which is very ancient. It is said that Tirthankar Aadinath had practiced a long penance under this very tree. Huge image of foot-prints of Tirthankar Aadinath measuring 47 x 25 inches adorn this place. Besides the hill in Palitana, at the fool-hill are Somawasaran Temple, Aagam Temple, Jamboo Dweep, Sprawling Museum, etc. which are worth a visit. The Journey to this great pilgrimage is really the most fortunate moment of life.

INDIA : Aurangabad - Ghrishneshwar Temple 02

The famous Ghrishneshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva stand only a short distance to the west of Kailash. One of the 12 JYOTIRLINGA this temple is built half in RED standstone and half in PLASTER.

This Jyotirlinga is said to be self oriented. According to historical records it was built by KING KRISHNADEO RAI of the RAKTRAKUT DYNASTY in 18th century A.D. Later in 18th century A.D. the Queen of Indore MAHARANI AHILYABAI HOLKAR with her mother-inlaw GAUTAM BAI renovated the entire temple and its complex. This patoness was also responsible for a large tank in nearby VERUL village which bears her name. Woshippers of Shiva flock to this temple which has a small entrance after passing which one can reach in the courtyard of the temple. The mandapa which adjoins the scantum on the westside is partly open.

It has entrances on three sides which project outwards and are flanked by high balconies which serve as seating with sloping backrests. Devotees are permitted to enter the spacious scantum but men must first remove their upper garments. The scantum contains a Shiva Linga infront of the marble image of goddess Parvati.

Among the additional structures with in the temple compound is a GANESHA shrine in the north and a Nandi shrine on the west. A big fair is held every year on MAHASHIVA RATRI, helds between February and March.

INDIA : Aurangabad - Devgad : Shri. Datta Mandir

DEVGAD, the village known for Shri Datta Temple just east of Shaneshwar. The temple is 24 hours open for the visitors. ANNADAN is a very big function at Devgad a trust has been formed by the natives to provide all the materials and utensils free of charge to devotees, who want to give Annadan (distribution of free food). A Dharamashala (a place of free shelter and food) is also available. More than 150 people can have lunch. The trust plans to start a religious library, a hospital and a pilgrim school.

All you can contact for your bookings at BHAKTINIVAS on following numbers:

Manager Devgad - 9763171073
Office Devgad - 0242-7283111

In fact, there is no need to book BHAKTINIVAS because you can get accommodation at anytime here. So you need not to worry about it.

INDIA : Aurangabad - Shani Shinganapur

INTONATES THE FOLLOWING STOTRA IS SAVED FROMM ALL the ILLEGALIT OF SHANESHWARA PLACED IN BADINAGE.

Suryaputhro Deerghadeho Vishaalaakshah Shivapriyah

Mandachaarah Prasannathmaa peedam harathu me Shanih

सूर्य पुञो दीर्घ देहो विशालाक्षः शिवप्रिय: !! मंदचार: प्रसन्‍नात्‍मा पीडा हरतु मे शनि: !!

The village SHINGANAPUR is away 6 kms away from Ghodegaon located on Aurangabad-Ahmednagar road. It is exactly 84 Kms from Historical City 'Aurangabad' and distance from Ahmednagar is only 35 kms.

The interesting feature of the village SHINGANAPUR is, there are no door frames, window frames and locks on the houses for the safety purpose. But in fact it is not required here. All the people residing here are believe that, it is only the BLESSINGS of the god Shaneshwara. Due to blessings of god, no law-breaking things are happened in this village till date. It's really AMAZING!!!. Anybody in the world can just imagine this thing? All of you friends, if you could not believe on this….you must visit SHINGANAPUR.

SRI SHANEDEV or SHANESHWARA, The commanding God of SHINGANAPUR. Shaneshwara is a AVTAR of the planet SATURN. People from all over the world are adored with fear and cultism of the planet SATURN. The presentation of the God SHANESHWARA is in the black stone. There is no any kind of temple construction puts up the Shaneshwara. There is only a BLACK STONE stands for SWYAMBHU GOD on a simple platform like a bed.

INDIA : Aurangabad - Maheshmal

MAHESHMAL, pronounced as MHAISMAL, is 25 km away from Aurangabad. It is an very old temple of GIRIJAMATA and an exact replication of LORD BALAJI temple of TIRUPATI which is loacted at the top of the hill. Compare to other hill stations, it is a small but beautious one situated on the way of ELLORA CAVES.

INDIA : Aurangabad - Ghrishneshwar Temple_01

GHRISHNESHWAR is belonging to out of 12 JYOTIRLINGA of INDIA. This temple is located in village "VERUL", which is 30 km away from Aurangabad.

The SHIVPURAN tells the story of GHRISHNESHWAR as follows :

A Brahmin "BRAHMAVETTA SUDHARAM" along with his wife "SUDEHA" lived on a mountain called DEVGIRI at Southern region. He was a scholarly person and a teacher of VEDAS. He used to teach the Holy Scripture to his students. Due to Sudeha's pitiful ness, they did not have their own child. She had tried all the possible therapeutics but all the efforts went in vain. She went her sister GHUSHMA and forcing her purposely to married to her husband for the sake of child. Sudeha would serve Sudharam along with Ghusmhma her sister. By Sudheha's advice, her sister Ghusma used to make 101 lingas and worship them. She used to discharge the lingas in the center of the lake.

After Blessing of Lord Shiva, Ghushma was blessed with a beauteous boy. Due to this Ghushma became proud and Sudeha started feeling jealous towards her sister. One neight, jealous Sudeha took Ghushma's son and killed him and threw him in the center of the lake where Ghushma used to discharge the lingas.

On the next early morning, Ghushma got up and involved in her daily routine work. Her husband, Sudharm also involved in daily work. Sudeha also got up and started her daily routine. Ghushma's daughter-in-law saw stains of blood on Sudharm's bed and his parts of body soaked in blood, she was alarmed. She came to her and told everything. Ghushma was crying and absorbed in worshipping Lord Shiva. Sudeha did not discourage and her husband too. When she saw the bed drenched in blood she did not break down. Ghushma Said, ''HE (Lord Shiva) WHO HAS GIVEN ME THIS CHILD SHALL PROTECT HIM !!!" and she started to retelling "SHIVA, SHIVA, SHIVA !!!" endlessly. Lastly, she went to discharge the SHIVLINGAS after her prayers, she saw her son coming. She take a look to him, her son was neither happy nor sad. Suddenly, Lord Shiva appeared before her and told, "I am proud of with your devotedness. Your sister killed your son.

Ghushma bowed down before Lord Shiva and told him to forgive and excuse her. After that, Lord Shiva asked her for another blessing. Ghushma replied, "if he really happy with her devotion, he should occupy her forever for the gain of the multitudes in the form of a JYOTIRLINGA and it may you be known by my name !". After her serious request he evidenced in the form of Jyotirling and by that day it was named as GUSHMESHWAR which is earlier pronounced as GHRISHNESHWAR.