Shri Digambar Jain temple is a Jain pilgrimage centre in Kunthalgiri in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a Siddha Kshetra i.e. Place of Salvation. The temple is dedicated to history two ascetic saints, Shri Kul Bhushan and Desh Bhushan.
History of Shri Digambar Jain Temple
According to history two ascetic saints, Shri Kul Bhushan and Desh Bhushan attained nirvana Kunthalgiri during the period of Lord Unisuvrata, 20th Tirthankara and Ram - Lakshmana. It is the only sacred place in southern India with such a legend. The two saints were earlier prince of a state. However, they wished to become ascetics. Thus they left their empires and all other luxuries and became ascetic saints. They started practising penance and meditation to purify soul from affection, spiritual ignorance and to achieve salvation. Once upon a time during their stay at Kunthalgiri, Lord Rama along with Lakshmana and Sita visited the place at the time of their 14 years of exile. They heard uproar and many terrible sounds. After investigating they came to know that s god of heaven was causing trouble to Shri Kul Bhushan and Desh Bhushan. Thus Rama along with Lakshmana went to help them and freed them from their troubles. The ascetic saints attained Kevalgyan i.e. Super natural knowledge and also salvation from there.
The temple has two ancient feet images of Kul Bhushan and Desh Bhushan. According o a legend a celibate of village Babavar Shri Metashah saw a dream. In the dream he saw that where a cow allows her milk to be suckled by her calf, at that place there were the feet images of Lord Kul Bhushan and Desh Bhushan. The next day Shri Metashah investigated the place and discovered the ancient feet images. Many people present there also saw the feet images. The images were unearthed and installed on a high rock. Later the Kul Bhushan Desh Bhushan Temple was constructed and the feet images were installed in V.S. 1932.
It is said that about 50 years ago sound of bells could be heard at night from the Kul Bhushan Desh Bhushan Temple.
Temple Shri Digambar Jain Temple
The temple of Kunthalgiri is dedicated to Shri Kul Bhushan and Desh Bhushan. It is the main temple here. The temple has been adorned with intricate architectural designs. It has high spires. The idols of Shri Kul Bhushan and Desh Bhushan are 3 feet in height and are in standing posture. The idols are made of white stone and are very attractive. The temple also houses images of Jain Tirthankaras like Lord Shantinath, Lord Unisuvrata and Bhagwan Rishabh Dev. On the right hand side of a gate a shrine exists where the idol of Lord Adinath is installed. The idol is seated in Ardh Padmasana posture. On the left side a white idol of Lord Parshvanatha with 11 serpent hood is installed. The idol of Lord Simandhar is also carved on the spire of wall shrine. The temple also houses the feet images of Charitra Chakravarti and Acharya Shantisagarji.
Apart from these there are many other temples located here. The second main temple of Kunthalgiri is dedicated to Lord Shantinath. It is known as Lord Shantinath Temple. The idol is 2 feet 3 inches in height. It is black in colour and has been installed in V.S. 1932. The temple also houses metallic idols of Goddess Padmavati and Goddess Saraswati. A room of Acharya Shantisagarji can be seen on the left side of the temple. The Acharya stayed in this during his last days before he took Samadhimaran to end the physical existence. Thus the room also became a sacred place for the pilgrims. Several other temples like the Bahubali Temple, Adinath Temple, Ajitnath Temple, Chaitya and Nandishwer Temple are also located here. A column of dignity or Manstambha can be seen here. It is 53 feet in height and was completed in V.S. 2001. It houses 4 idols of Lord Munisuvratnath installed on the top. In the valley Neminath Temple, Mahavira Temple and Ratnatraya Temple have been constructed. The idols have been carved beautifully and are worth visiting. The Ratnatraya Temple is also known as Kanch Mandir i.e. Temple of mirrors as the central room of the temple has been adorned with magnificent art work of mirrors.
The temple of Kunthalgiri is located on a hill and is surrounded by scenic beauty that mesmerises the pilgrims. The temple organises annual gathering and Ratha Yatra. A five day function is organized on Margsheersh Shukla every year. The death anniversary of Acharya Shantisagarji is celebrated on Bhadraprada Shukla. The temple also has provisions for dharmshalas or rest houses for the pilgrims.
The temple of Kunthalgiri is well connected to road, rail and air. Busses from Osmanabad, Solapur, Beed to Bhoom are easily available. The railway station is located in Yedashi and Varshi Town. The nearest airport is located in Aurangabad that is 200 km from here.
