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In the vicinity of Golsheri in Patan, there is a nearly 88 cm high idol of Bhagwan Koka Parshvanath. This white-colored idol is seated in the padmasana posture and features an umbrella with seven hoods over its head. Each hood also has two cobra eyes.
In medieval times, the city of Patan was known as Anhillpur Patan. One day, King Sidhraj Jaisingh of Patan encountered Acharyadev Shri Abhaydevsuriji entering the city while the king was on an elephant ride. Deeply respectful of the Acharya, the king dismounted from his elephant and humbly bowed his head. The Acharya's white clothes had become discolored with mud.
The presiding deities of Sankheswar Parshvanath had pledged to worship the idol of Shri Koka Parshvanath for a period of 4 ghadis at dawn. During this time, offering prayers to Koka Parshvanath was believed to be as efficacious as praying to Sankheswar Parshvanath himself. Devotees held profound faith and devotion in worshipping Koka Parshvanath, with the assurance that their wishes would be granted.
Learning of this, King Sidhraj conferred the title "Mulldhari" upon the Acharya, who became known as "Mulldhari" Acharya Shri Abhaydevsuriji. The renowned Acharya Shri Hemchandrasuriji was a disciple in the Paat Parampara (spiritual lineage) of Mulldhari Acharya. Once, when Acharya Shri Hemchandrasuriji came to Patan for Chaturmaas (four months of monsoon retreat), he used to give daily lectures in Gimta (Dhrut basti). However, one day, the temple's priest refused to allow him to speak, causing great embarrassment to the Jain community. In response, Koka Seth donated land for a new temple, and the idol of Bhagwan Parshvanath was consecrated in it. This Parshvanath idol came to be known as Koka Parshvanath after Koka Seth.
King Bhimdev of Gujarat was defeated by the ruler of Malwa, who subsequently invaded Patan and damaged the idol of Lord Parshvanath. Shri Ramdev and Shri Ashadhar then resolved to install a new idol of Lord Parshvanath. Two attempts to carve the idol from marble proved unsuccessful. In his determination to succeed, Ramdev vowed to fast until the idol met his satisfaction, and Guru Maharaj joined him in this endeavor. On the eighth day of their fast, the presiding deity appeared in Ramdev's dream, revealing the location of high-quality marble suitable for crafting the idol. When they excavated this spot, they indeed found exceptional marble from which they created the idol of Parshvanath Bhagwan. The temple was subsequently renovated, and the consecration ceremony was conducted under the esteemed guidance of Acharya Shri Devanandsurishvarji. This Parshvanath idol was then known as Koka Parshvanath.
In addition to this temple, there is another temple dedicated to Abhinandanswami in the same vicinity.
This ancient temple is adorned with intricately carved and colorful spires, a decorated main gate, ornate pillars, captivating arches set over the pillars, idols of dancers, and a vast rangmandap. Believed to date back to the 13th-14th century, this temple is a remarkable piece of artistry. The idol of Koka Parshvanath is not only beautiful and magnificent but also holds an aura of enchantment. The Parrikar (the seat or platform for the idol) is exquisitely carved and truly grand.
