History, and Significance of Shree Munisuvrat swami Jain Temple, Bank of Sacred River Narmada, Bharuch, Gujarat
Bharuch, one of the major pilgrimage destination for the Jain community where many Jain Derasar are located. Bhragukatchh, Bhragukul, Bhragpur & Bharuatchh etc are the ancient names of Bharuch. Shree Munisuvrat swami Jain Temple located on the bank of River Narmada in Bharuch is one of the key sacred place where idol of Shri Munisuvrat Swami Bhagwan in black colour, seated in a lotus posture in a temple.
It is believed that Bhagwan Munisuvrat Swami - twentieth Tirthankara of Jainism had given Pratibodh - Spiritual knowledge to the Ashva – horse, prepared for Ashwmegh Yagya here. After the death of horse, it becomes god and built temple of Munisuvrat Swami here thus this temple is also known as Ashvabodh temple. Sudarshana, daughter of King Singhal of Sinhaldwip had renovated this temple, once she heard Navkar Mantra and given knowledge about her previous birth as eagle and how she was killed by hunter with arrow. Temple was then renamed as Shakunika Vihar or Samadhi Vihar. During the muslim attacks many Jain and Hindu temple were converted into Mosques.
Sri Ganadhar Gautamswami who complied “Jag Chintamani Stotra” in the shrine of Ashtapad located near mount Kailash in Himalaya range had offered his bow to Lord Munisuvratswami here at Bharuch. Lots of scholar and Acharyas including Shashansamrat Acharya Vajrabhutiji, Vijaysensuriji, Bappabhattacharya, Kalakacharya, Mallavadisuri, Padaliptasuri, etc. had visited this place and composed many sacred text, built temples and started various activities in the adoration of Jainism.
