Here is the simple, traditional story (itihas) of Bhopawar Jain Tirth:

1. Where is Bhopawar Tirth?

• Bhopawar is a village in District Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.
• The Jain temple is in the centre of the village, near the river Mahi.
• The main idol (moolnayak) is of Bhagwan Shantinath, 16th Tirthankar.

2. Main idol and its speciality

• The moolnayak is a 12 feet high idol of Bhagwan Shantinath in Kayotsarg (standing meditation posture).
• The idol is made of bluish stone.
• This murti is very impressive and unique, and is worshipped with great faith by Shwetambar Jains and also respected by local non‑Jains.

3. How this Tirth was established (traditional katha) According to the popular Jain katha connected with this place:

• In Dwapar Yug, Rukmi, the brother of Rukmini (who later married Shri Krishna), was the ruler of this region.
• When Shri Krishna took Rukmini away to marry her, Rukmi followed and there was a battle. Rukmi was defeated.
• After his defeat, Rukmi did not return to his old town. Instead, he settled in this area and made it a beautiful, prosperous place.
• Here, he is said to have built a grand Jain temple and installed the 12‑feet idol of Bhagwan Shantinath.
• From that time, this place gradually became a respected Jain tirth, known today as Shri Bhopawar Tirth.

(This is a lok-prasiddh katha – a popular traditional story that devotees know and pass on.)

4. Miraculous experiences (Atishay) Devotees believe Bhopawar Tirth has seen many atishay (divine or extraordinary happenings), such as:

• Black cobra doing parikrama:

Many people have seen a black cobra appear near the moolnayak idol of Shantinath Bhagwan and do parikrama (circumambulation) around the idol, without harming anyone.

• Flow of kesariya-milk from the feet:

Once, pilgrims saw a flow of milk, saffron-coloured (kesariya), coming out from the feet of the idol of Bhagwan Shantinath. This was taken as a sign of Bhagwan’s special grace on devotees and of the great purity of this place.

Because of such incidents, local Bhil and other nearby communities also have deep faith here.

5. Local names and faith among villagers

• Among the nearby tribal (Bhil) communities, Bhagwan Shantinath here is lovingly known as “Kaala Baba” and “Khamda Dev”.
• They also come in large numbers, bow down, and pray for peace and protection.

6. Annual fair and festivals

• Every year, a big mela (fair) is held on Poush Krishna Dashami.
• Jains from many places, as well as local non‑Jains and Bhils, come to Bhopawar for darshan, puja, and to take part in the festival.

7. Present management and tradition

• The tirth is managed by Shri Shantinath Jain Shwetambar Mandir Trust, Bhopawar.
• Regular puja, aarti, swadhyay, and yatra are done here.
• The place is known for its shanti (peaceful atmosphere) and deep spiritual feeling when you stand before the tall Shantinath Bhagwan in kayotsarg.

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If you want to read the short official description of this tirth, including details of the idol, trust and mela, you can see it here: