Shirpur Jain temple is the Antariksha Parshwanath Tirth in Shirpur (Jain town), Maharashtra. It is a Śvetāmbara Jain shrine known for the main idol of Parshvanath that is said to float above the ground.

Key points you can know:

• The main idol: Bhagwan Parshvanath, black-colored, in a meditative pose. Tradition says the idol was carved from sand and cow dung and was found in a well; when transported to Shirpur it is believed to have floated in mid-air, hence the name Antarikṣa (floating) Parshwanath. The idol has been central to Shirpur’s Jain worship for centuries. ( en.wikipedia.org)

• Place and dates of installation/renovation: The temple was established around the time the idol was consecrated in Shirpur, with later renovations and re-installations mentioned in traditional accounts. In Vikram year 1142, the idol was consecrated there, and further renovations or reconsecrations are recorded in later centuries (e.g., 1658 CE and 1715 Vikram era in various traditions). These events are part of the temple’s celebrated history. ( jainheritagecentres.com)

• Maratha legacy and protection: During the Maratha period there were practical arrangements for temple protection and maintenance. Historical notes indicate that local protectors (Polkars) were appointed to safeguard the temple from external threats, reflecting the interaction of Jain centers with Maratha administrative practices. This is part of the temple’s wider history in the Deccan region. ( en.wikipedia.org)

• Śvetāmbara–Digambar interaction: Shirpur’s Antariksha Parshwanath Tirth is a focal point in the longer history of disputes and discussions between Śvetāmbara and Digambara Jains over the ownership and rites of the main idol. These disputes have a documented history spanning well over a century and reflect the broader sectarian dynamics within Jainism. ( en.wikipedia.org)

• What you’ll find today: The site remains a key pilgrimage center, with a strong tradition of daily prayers, stotras, and annual Jain fairs and observances that attract devotees from across the region.

You can read more about these stories and the Shirpur tirth here:

• Antriksh Parshwanath story and Shirpur connection
• Additional Antriksh Parshwanath narratives and temple history