History, Importance, Puja, Rituals, Timings and Travel Guide of Ancient Shankheshwar Parshwanath, Jain Temple, Near Patan and Viramgam, Gujarat
Shankheshwar Jain Temple located at small town Shankheshwar of Patan district of Gujarat is dedicated to Lord Parshwanath, 23 Tirthankar of Jainism. This is ancient, historical and major Tirth of Jainsm after the Shatrunjaya Hill in Palitana. As per the scripture, this place was known as Shankhpur or Sanghpur.
As per the legend, Shri Sajjan Shah, minister of King Siddhraj Jaysingh had built this Shankheshwar Parshwanath Jain Temple with help of Acharya Shri Devendra Surishwarji in year 1098 – Vikram Samvat 1155. Later on, Vastupal Tejpal had renovated this temple under the instructions of Vardhamansuri in Vikram Sampva 1286. Temple was destroyed by Allauddin Khilji in 14th century but again it was built by Vijaysensuri and 52 idols were placed in temple. The current temple structure was built in 1811 and the 182 cm high main idol of Lord Parshwanath in Padmasana posture is installed in center.
There are several other Jain temples are built near the main temple, in which the modern sprawling complex of 108 Parshvanath and Padmavati (108 Parshwanath Bhaktivihar Tirth), Rajendrasuri Navkar Mandir, Kalapurnam Smriti Mandir, the Gurumandir, and Dadawadi are highly important.
On the tenth day of the month of Posh and Magasar and during the Diwali days, thousand of pilgrims visit here. As Shankheshwar is major pilgrimage destination of Jainism, other teerth like Shruth, Pavapuri Jalmandir at Ratanpur etc. are developed near Shankheshwar Parshwanath Jain Derasar. To facilitate the devotee, there are lots of Dharmashala and Bhojanalaya are built. Devotee can blessed with various Puja and Aarti in temple from 5 AM to 10 PM. This tirth is also associated with lots of miracle from history and also in current time where devotee can feel the power and aura. Desire and wishes of devotee are fulfilled by visiting this tirth.
How to reach Shankheshwar Jain Temple: This Tirth is 120 Km from Ahmadabad, 60 Km from Viramgam and 60 Km from Patan Gujarat. Thus it is easily accessible via Rail, Air and Road from all major city of India.
