Shirpur Jain Temple history (Antariksh Parshwanath Tirth)

• The main idol: Antariksh Parshwanath, a black Parshwanath idol believed to be ancient and miracle-working. Legend says it was originally made of sand and cow dung by Mali and Sumali, and was hidden in a well near Ellora. It surfaced years later and, during a consecration in Shirpur, was said to have floated a little above the ground, giving Shirpur its name and sacred status. The temple in Shirpur was established around 1142 CE with the consecration led by a Jain monk of that time. This idol is central to Shirpur’s religious significance for Śvetāmbara Jains. ( jainknowledge.com)

• Key historical milestones:

- 1142 CE: Idol consecrated in Shirpur (Antariksh Parshwanath Tirth) after the well-water miracle and the driving vision to establish a temple. - 1658 CE: Temple is renovated and reinstalled, noted in Śvetāmbara texts such as the Antariksh Parshwanath Stotra. - 1715 CE: Idol reportedly reinstalled again under the guidance of Ganivarya Bhavavijaya after earlier works and miracles. These events are part of the temple’s traditional narratives. ( jainknowledge.com)

• Temple complex and deities: Shirpur hosts multiple Jain temples in the village, with Antariksh Parshwanath as the central Śvetāmbara shrine. Other temples in Shirpur include Digambar and Shvetāmbara sanctuaries dedicated to Parshwanath and related deities. The site is known for its distinctive “floating” Parshwanath idol and associated devotional practices. ( jainstavan.in)

• Modern matters: In recent decades there have been disputes between Śvetāmbara and Digambara groups over the temple’s administration and rites, reflecting long-standing sectarian disagreements that have periodically affected access and management. In 2025, there were ongoing discussions about restoration and shared custodianship as part of resolving the broader dispute. ( freepressjournal.in)

Simple takeaway: Shirpur’s Antariksh Parshwanath Tirth is an ancient Śvetāmbara Jain site in Maharashtra built around a legendary idol said to have floated during consecration in 1142 CE; it has a layered history of renovations, miraculous narratives, and sectarian administration disputes that continued into the 21st century.

If you’d like, I can point you to more detailed summaries or the exact dates and names mentioned in traditional texts.

You can read more here and here