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| That which sublimates is TIRTHA (place of pligrimage). One who promotes Tirth is Tirthankars. Shantrunjaya Tirth, situated at a distance of 48 kms. from Bhavnagar and 29 kms from Sihor in Saurashtra, is generally looked upon as a Tirth of all times. The first ever Tirthankar of Jains dharma and the for most of person to give rise to human civilization, Shri Rishabhadev Bhagavan visited this sacred place ninety nine times. All the twenty three Trithankars, except Shri Neminath Bhagvan, delivered to all humanity the auspicioous, messages of Jain dharma. Being a great city of temples, Shatrunjaya Tirth is Siddhakshetra of all times as defined and approved by the Agamas. The central figure in this complex is Shri Adishvara Bhagavan with his white and pure complexion, seated on a lotus-shaped SEAT. The mountain consists of a height of 1640 feet and the expanse of castle over it is with some 7000 images of Shri Jina. In the whole world, you will not come across such a vast number of images, all at one place, or , just at one place and this hieght; temples consisting of such lovely architecture in such a vast number. In ancient times it is said, that Pundarikaswami, the Ganadhara of Bhagwan RIshabhdev renounced the world to attain to emancipation at this holy place. The mountain is therefore names as Pundarikagiri after him. In the Avasarpini to this great Tirth consisting of 108 names, was reapired as many as sixteen times. A pilgrimage of this tirth is said t be an equivalent to 100 pilgrimages. Every year to-day more than 4 lakhs of prilgrimage,observing six restraints in form of Sanghas pay visit to this unique tirth for pilgrimage. The road leading to the top from the valley is 2¼ miles in length and has 3750 stpes. Perphaps, we can look upon this tirth as unparellelled in the whole world as created by a keen spirit of relgion without state patronage and of course without forced labour.s |