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In a vast garden near the Bhadravati village, you will discover a nearly 152 cm tall black idol of Bhagwan Kesariya Parshvanath in a semi-padmasana posture. What makes this idol particularly special is the umbrella of seven hoods gracing its head. It is believed that this idol hails from the era of Antariksh Parshvanath.
The historical significance of this tirth is quite profound, with remnants indicating its antiquity, although the exact age remains a mystery. The story of how this idol was found adds to its mystique. In the year 1966 Vikram Samvat, the manager of the "Antariksh Parshvanath Tirth" had a dream in which he encountered a Naagdevta in the jungle. Unfazed, he witnessed a miraculous sight—an ancient temple with the idol of Kesariya Parshvanath. The Naagdevta instructed him to renovate the ancient temple and enshrine the idol.
The search for this temple commenced, and the idol was eventually discovered amidst the ruins of a partially buried temple. The locals affectionately called it "Kesariya Baba" and adorned it with vermilion. Many Jain sanghas collaborated to take custody of the idol. In 1912, the government entrusted the management of this tirth to the Shwetambar Jain sangh, gifting them 10.5 acres of land for the temple. The sangha embarked on the renovation of the temple and installed the idol of Kesariya Parshvanath in Vikram Samvat 1976. Since the idol's existence was revealed through a dream, it is also known as "Swapnadev Kesariya Parshvanath." Even today, this tirth is believed to be a site where many miracles occur.
On the tenth day of the dark half of the month of Paush, an annual fair is held here. An extraordinary event involving this tirth occurred during a challenging time. A Charipali sangh, on a six-month journey from Secunderabad in Andhra to Shikarji in Bengal under the guidance of Acharya Vikramsurishvarji Maharajsahib, found itself in the midst of the India-Pakistan war. Fearing the worst, the acharya initiated a stavan (hymn) of Kesariya Parshvanath, which the entire sangha began singing daily. A miraculous turn of events unfolded—the war concluded in just 19 days, allowing the sangha to successfully complete its pilgrimage.
The tirth is adorned with a plethora of artistic treasures, including many idols unearthed from the ground and architecturally delightful remains from ancient structures. These archaeological riches led the Government of India's archaeological department to declare this tirth a protected memorial.
This tirth finds mention in the "365 Shri Parshva Jin naammala" and holds historical significance as a place visited by the renowned Jainacharya Shri Bhadrabahuswami alongside Samrat Chandragupta Maurya. The acharya engaged in Yogsadhana in the caves of this city. Even the Chinese traveler Hieun-Tsang acknowledged this city in his records, praising its king for being erudite, religious, and skilled in the arts. Bhadravati served as a center of learning for Jains, Buddhists, and Vedic literature. Interestingly, there is an idol of Kesariya Parshvanath in the Temple of Dima in Banaskantha, Gujarat.
For those seeking to visit this tirth, the nearest railway station is Bhandak, just a kilometer and a half away, while the Chandrapuri (Chanda) railway station lies 32 kilometers from the tirth. Both bus services and private vehicles are available for transportation. The tirth offers provisions for boarding and lodging, along with an upashraya. All of these amenities are set amidst the picturesque garden, enhancing the tirth's beauty and serenity.
