SHREE UWASSAGGAHARAM PARSHWA TIRTH, NAGPURA, DURG (CG), INDIA

:: ABOUT THE UWASSAGGAHARAM TIRTH

Shri Uwassaggaharam Parshwa Tirth, Nagpura, Durg, Chhattisgarh (India) has a unique distinction of acquiring unprecedented fame and adoration as a pioneer Jan Shrine, hardly within a span of half a dozen years since its formal installation on 5th' February' 1995. Situated on the bank of river Sheonath which had the singular good fortune of washing the holy feet of Shri Parshwanath, thousands of years ago, during his august visit to this area of Chhattisgarh; amidst the breath-taking natural beauty. This holy place not only documents India's glorious past with its rich culturious past with its rich culture and architecture, it tells a tale of unshakeable, faith, unflinching devotion, selfless dedication, voluntary cooperation and above all divine inspiration and Providential Grade also. The brief history of this holy place of worship, is more miraculous than mysterious and proves how an unknown barren land could be transformed into an

outstanding Tirth within two decades by divine grace. An eminent journalist and litterateur, Shri Rawalmalji Jain "Mani" perceived the maimed and multilated idol of Shri Parashwanath, unattended at village Nagpura and decided to restore it under the inspiration of JAIN ACHARYA Shree RAJYASHSURIJI on the auspicious day of the Lord's birth : 10th day of Paushth day of Paush, Bada 1979, but the destiny had decided otherwise.Incidently, this idol of Nagpura has striking similarity with installed idol of the 23rd Tirthankar.

In 1981 while digging Shri Bhuwan Singh's - well at the Northern India semi-civilized village "UGANA" situated on the bank of river Gandak an idol of Parshwanath surrounded by poisonous snakes was excavated. The villagers decided to install it but Shri Bhuwan Singh's friend Shri Hirachand Bhansali, a dedicated devotees was instructed to hand-over the idol to Shri Rawalmalji Jain in a mysterious dream. None knew Shri Maniji, Miraculously enough, Shri Rawalmalji Jain was located and contacted at Durg. He paid a visit to Ugana, appeased the inhabitants and came back to Durg with the idol, loaded on a van with a view to install it at Nagpura, Surprisingly enough, the van stopped without any mechanical defect on the bridge of the rivulet, hardly 100 meters away from the present Tirth and refused to move. Ultimately, it was decided to install it at the same place which bears the

mutilated-foot-prints and stone-inscription of the Lord to commemorate Shri Parashwanath's visit to this area in 1227 B.C. by Kalchury kings and followers of Jainism.

Like the composition of a sublime song whose each word is duly selected and rhythmically arranged, the slab of stone, shaped by selfless service and polished by profound faith began to give shape to this pious Shrine and thus began the creation of an epic poem engraved on lifeless stone - "Uwassaggaharam Parshwa Tirth" - The Emancipator of all the evils and miseries of mundane existence, the abode of blessedness and spiritual upliftment. The work began two decades ago still continues transforming and expanding the campus which today houses temples, guest houses garden

and Naturopathy and Yoga Centre. The Entrance to the resplendent marble temple of Shri Parshwanath is through a 30 feet main gate of supreme architectural beauty with the idol of Parshwanath duly worshipped by two elephants and supported by four pillars each sur pillars each symbolically representing the four essentials of spiritual atonement : wisdom, introspection, good conduct and penance. Besides the main temple on whose pedestal stands the renovated footprints of the Lord, the temple of Shri Manibhadra Veer and Padmavati, stand on the right and left of the main temple respectively.

They are clustered by a series of temples and guest houses with all the facilities of boarding and lodging like Namiom Jinalaya, Kalyan Mandir, Gyan Mandir, Satsang Bhawan, Meru Mountain with the Jinalaya of all the 24 Tirthankers, Charitra Mandir, Rohit Ratan Desai, Sukhad Bhawan Baid, Jain Guest House, Year Long Penance or Varshi Tap Bhawan, P.K. Shah Dharamshala, Shri Mani Bhadra Veer dining hall etc. The recent inclusion is "Tirthanker Uddyan", an unrivalled, matchless garden of renunciation, erected in semi circle containing not only the glory of the past and fine fountain this unique garden with spectacular natural setting unveils not only the glory of the past masters and godly souls it also inspires the seekers and pilgrims for introspection and renunciation. renunciation.The entire campus is not only well planned but it is nicely managed also. The present life with

its, "sick hurry and divided aims" presents perpetual tension and crucifying complications. Since man is a psycho-somatic whole, he is naturally subjected to and affected by the stress of environment both psychically and physically. The psychic part is solaced and inspired by the main temple and the physical part of the Yoga centre and "Aarogya Dham" - a 30 bedded, well equipped, well equipped hospital of Naturopathy translating into action the gospel of "Back to Nature". It also depicts that a sound body can subject itself to religious discipline and austerity better than a diseased one.

To the scaptic modern mind the idol of Lord Parshwanath poses an unsolved mystery. Sine, "seeing is believing", none can really fathom the unfathomable charm, beauty and elevation this centuries old, mysteriously excavate and instalexcaved and installed idol generates. The more photograph of this idol when was perceived by his holiness Acharya Rajyasureeshwarji he felt as if a powerful spiritual current has passed through his being. As luck would have it, the formal installation was destined to have been performed by him. Millions of pilgrims, devotees, visitors believers of other faiths, have felt the transporting impact of the idol.

Hundreds of visitors daily visit this Holy shrine and many come every full-moon night from distant corners of India. Another astonishing feature is oozing of sacred water "AMIYA" or nectar from the idol. How can water come out of a stone? but many can bear unmistakable testimony to this. Several handicapped by infirmity and disease, people have been cured of their ailment. Miracles here is an every day affair. Historian have authenticated its antiquity and have traced that it was shaped and installed when the 24th Tirthankar Shri Mahaveer Swami was 37 years old. It is also said that pleased by the austere peanance of the Kalchury King Gaja Singh godess Paa Singh godess Padmawati had presented him the present idol. From the very begining this shrine has enjoyed the reverence of not only common men and women , illiterates and intelligentsia but saints and seers also. Their profound worship have electrified the whole campus and its stunning impact can be felt the moment we step in to this campus. The transcendental tranquility sanctity and spiritual ecstasy this holy shrine imparts is a thing of celestial beauty and a joy for ever.