Shri Digamber Jain Siddhakshetra, Muktagiri

Muktagiri is ancient Siddha Kshetra and Atishaya Kshetra. Its another name is also ‘Mendhagiri’ or ‘Medhrgiri’. Muktagiri is place of attainment of Nirvan and about 3 & half crores of ‘Muniraj’ (Saints) have done salvation from here. The Samavsharan of 10th Teerthankar Lord Sheetalnath also arrived here and so it became sacred by footsteps of Lord Sheetalnath. History: This Kshetra is quite ancient and according to inscription on ‘palate of copper’ (Tamrapatra) got from Achalpur; the ‘Guha (Cave) Temple’ was got constructed on this hill by the emperor of Magadh ‘Shrenik Bimbasar’. King ‘Shrenik’ was the contemporary of Lord Mahaveer about 2500 years ago. After Shrenik, about 1000 years ago from today King ‘Ail Shripal’ of Elichpur (Achalpur) developed this Kshetra. Many temples and idols were reverenced by him. Many idols were got carved artistically by King Ail Shripal at the places like Antariksha Parshvanath Elora and the cave temples were also got constructed by him. As per the records available at Muktagiri Sansthan the entire Temples and Dharamshala was maintained / and manage from 200 year’s by Kalamkar Family residing at Sultanpur (Achalpur). In 1923 Late. Shri. Nathusa Pasusa Kalamkar purchase the entire range of Satpuda Hill where these 52 Digambar Jain Temple where build from Mr. Khaparde who was holding the malgujari and collecting a surcharge from Jain devotee’s coming for worship. Then Nathusa Pasusa build Dharamshala and Mahavir Temple on the foothill of the holy place. In 1956 the public trust was formed and still today all the entire management is look after from Kalamkar Family. Atishaya: Though it is Siddha Kshetra, it is also related with many miracles. One foreigner himself felt one such miracle. The proof of this event with foreigner is present in the Government Gazetteer of Baitool. Moreover the shower of Saffron on hill on the Ashtami, Chaturdashi. Full moon night (Poornima) provides strong evidence for the happening of miracles at this place. Many dangerous animals like Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Snakes Reptiles are seen visiting at the feet of idols and it seems that they visit here to get rid of their violent tendencies. These dangerous animals have never proved violent and not even caused harm to any visitor. Main Temples- Mendhagiri Temple: This is the oldest temple at Muktagiri and it is believed that this was got constructed by ‘King Ail Shripal’ of Elichpur. It is cave temple on the three doors of which Arihant idols are carved. Two doors are closed. In the center of temple the hall is constructed on four pillars. Around this hall the path of circumference is also built. The 72 idols of Teerthankaras (three Chaubeesee) are carved beautifully on the walls of this temple. This temple is 16 feet & 3 inch tall and its width is also equal to its length. This temple was built in 10th century. The droplets of saffron can be seen on rocks kept outside the temple. It is that temple only where Mendha attained ‘Devgati’ after hearing precepts from Muniraj. Therefore this temple is called Mendhagiri. The 26th temple is main temple of Muktagiri and this is temple of principal deity Lord Parshvanath. The 4 feet high black colored Padmasan idol of Lord Parshvanath surmounted by seven serpent hoods is quite ancient magnificent. It is said that King Kotibhatta Shripal saw the idol of Lord Parshvanath near the pond of Elichpur in his dream and he was given order to take out idol from there. Presently that idol is installed at this place. There is spire above the forehead of the idol and elephants are present on both sides of the idol.