SHRI MANDALGAD TIRTH

  • SHRI MANDALGAD TIRTH

 Research has to be done as to who has constructed this temple in the fort of Mandalgadh and when . Perhaps, this was built during the constructionof the fort or immediately after the fort was constructed as is found at various places. This is said because in all such kingdoms , the Jain householders have always helped the kings to form the capital and the same might apply here too.By looking at the art work of the temple and of the idol it appears that the temple would have been constructed in the 9th century. Later the temple would have been renovated several times, but no such reference is found anywhere.Apart from the antiquity of this place, this is one of the ancient shrines in the Bhilwada district and is so known as Mevadi Shatrunjay. This is the most significant point of this place.Besides this, there is a temple known to public as Bhagwan Parshwanath Mandir, but the Presiding idol in today’s date is Sri Mahavir Bhagwan. Perhaps due to some reason or the other, the idol would have been changed somewhere. But this temple and the land donated by the Mewad State Government is in the name of Sri Parshwanath Bhagwan. Besides this, there is a Digamber temple too.Like the Chittodgadh fort, event his place is 1865 ft. above the sea level. The circumference of this fort is about 4 miles and is surrounded on three sides by lakes. The natural scenery here is very impressive. Behind the temple at some 1½ Kms two well known Jalashaya, Sagar and Sagari are existing. Even during famine there is no scarcity of water. The confluence of three rivers viz. Banas, Badech, Menal is just superb and indeed worth seeing.The idol of Prabhu is ancient, miracle working in brown color is seated in a sikharband Mandir, which is very beautiful and impressive. In the temple at proximity. Sri Mahavir Bhagwan’s idol is ancient and artistically beautiful.