Shauripur
- Agra Jain Shrines
One of the most famous and maginificent cities of ancient India, Shauripur used
to cover the entire area from Hastinapur toMahthura city. The religious book
' Vayudev' validates the history of the foundation of Shauripur city. In the
city there used to be two brave and powerful brothers - Shauri and Veer. Shauri
laid the foundation of Shauripur city.
The son of Shauri was Andhakrishna. Naiminath,the 22nd Tirthankar was born here
to the King Shri Samadra Vijay and his Queen Sitadevi. Today, Shauripur is considered
to be an important place of pilgrimage for the Jains. Shauripur, 80 kms. Away
from Agra, is surrounded by a dense forest teeming with funa and flora. To the
East of this place are the seven big temples of theSvetambara Jain Samaj. With
the passing of time, the city was destroyed. What stands today are the ruins
in the dense forest, quietly reminiscent of its ancient glory.
The Svetambar Samaj has built a Dharamshala here for the convenience of the
tourists. In front of the Dharamshala a Dada Badi ahs been constructed which
is considered to be the first Dada Badi in the country. Dada Sri Jin Kushal
Suriji Maharaja's Guru Mandir was constructed here by seth Nathmal Sri Goljha
of Gwalior.
There are two tempels here of the Digambara Jain Samaj, and pilgrim afrom all
over the country come in to offer their prayers throughout the year. Besides
Sri Shauripur, there are 11 other tempels of the Jain Svetambara Samaj and 35
temples of the Jain Digambara Samaj in Agra. Shri Chintamani Pashavanath Jain
Svetambar temple, which is in 'Roshan Muhallah, is one of the biggest temples
of Agra Svetambara Samaj.
The temple has a huge idol of Lord Chintamani Parshvanath, which was erected
by Jagatguru Acharya Sri Harivijay Suriji in the year 1640. In the same temple
there is an idol of Lord Sheetalnath Prabhu in black stone. The stone carving
of the high platform on which the idol is kept is said to be much more superior
interms of artistry and skill than the stone carvings of the Taj Mahal., The
temple is associated with Jagatguru Shri Harivijay Suri.
Attached to this temple is the Jain Svetambar Bhavan. In Roshan Muhallah,there
is another Svetambara temple of Sri Simaidhar Swami. It was established by their
fourth Dadaguru" Sri Jinchandra Suriji in about 1668. In Moti Katra, there
is a temple of Sri Vasupujya Swami which was probably built in the year 1501.
It also houses the footprints of the Swami. On the main road of Moti Katra,
there is the Bodhi Parshavnath temple. It has a magnificent idol of Lord Parshvanath
which ws created during the reign of Jhangir.
The temple fascinates the visitors by its splendid beauty. This apart , there
are many other beautiful and artistic temples of Digambara Jain Samaj. Two of
these are indeed worth visiting. Specially so, the Jain temple of M.D. Jain
College, Hariparvat. Another big Jain temple in Moti Katra houses thousands
of Jain images. It is believed that there is a sword inside the temple which
validates its antiquity.
On the Agra-Fatehpur Sikri road there is the Lord Mahavir Temple in Bogipura
Shahgunj. It was built by Jagatseth. In the central room of the temple there
lies a very old idol of Lord Mahavir. This gives us an idea of the antiquity
of the place. One of the most popular Svetambara of the honoured with the title
of 'Jagatgure' by the Mughal emperor Akbar. He had visited Agra on the request
of Akbar.
Akbar was so impressed by him that he gave orders to protect the Jain's places
of pilgrimage and to avoid animal slaughter. Akbar had amassed a vast collection
of Jain manuscripts, religious books and innumerable Jain idols. On the request
of Sri Harivijay Suriji, Akbar gave away the entire collection to the Jain Sangh.
Today, this great collection can be found in the temple of Sri Chintamani Parshvanath
Jain Svetambar Mandir in Roshan Muhallah. In one of the religious books named
' Kriparaskosh', we come to know about the impact of Sri Harivijay Suriji on
Akbar. During the reign of Akbar, the fourth Dada Guru Acharya Sri Jinchandra
Suri Ji had visited Agra. Akbar was so influenced by him that he honoured him
with the title of 'Yug Pradhan'. Influenced by his teachings, Akbar became a
vegetarian for the rest of his life.
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