An Idol which smiles at its followers ~ Simandhar Swami Jinalay, Patanvav

Today just would like to enlighten you all with a great new SRI SIMANDHAR SWAMI JINALAY of Patanvav (Near Dhoraji, Gujarat). YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE A TEETH OF LORD VISIBLE IN THIS SNAP so just follow on this post to know its story.

I heard about this Jinalay from my ben Maharaj saheb & a Veer Sainik who were all praise for the temple & which inspired me to visit it. Finally I visited this temple in October 2011 & was astonished to note the following:

1. 1st Temple where i saw a board outside that it accepts no donation & there were not even a single Bhandar in that entire temple premises. Even they dont take Naivaidh/fruits etc.

2. Just see the Pratimaji's snap. Its so laughing that it enters heart in a moment & just think that if snap is this than what would be original idol like. Its just AWESOMELY AMAZING.

3. Here rules are strictly followed, Male's & Female's do puja separately. When Male's are inside, female's are not allowed in & vice versa. Female's are not allowed to enter without keeping duppatta or pallu on their head.

4. NO PHOTOGRAPHY is allowed, they themselves give this snap for free with request to make 9 copies & forward others.

& if I go on narrating my experience than it would take lot many pages but for all of you here's the story of the upcoming of this temple:

There used to live a Kanti bapu in village of Patanvav & who is being said to become a Dev after his death. After becoming a Dev, he went to MAHAVIDEH KSHETRA & saw Simandhar swami & IT IS BEING SAID THAT THIS IDOL IS REPLICA OF how Simandhar Swami looks as its made by a dev. I am not able enough to vouch all this but can surely ADD that I have never seen such an Idol with so much shine, smile, grace etc on parmatma's face. This temple has came up very soon due to daivi sahay & doesnt take a penny from anyone as it is said that all temple expenses are provided by Kanti Bapu who has became a Dev.

Its also said that once while Pujan, Idol had laughed & ENTIRE 32 TEETHS of Parmatma were visible. One Person tried taking snap of it from his cell & immediately idol stopped laughing but while snap was taken, one teeth remains still visible (ITS SAME SNAP TAKEN FROM THAT CELL).

There is nearby a Dharamshala & upcoming Tirth, DHANKGIRI, 2-3KM's near to This Jinalay where boarding lodging can be done. Even Dhankgiri Tirth is a must visit place with Snatra Mandir on OSAM Hill & Siddh Chakra Mandir on foothills.

IN CASE YOU WANT TO VISIT & WANT TO HAVE MORE DETAILS, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.

-Samir Doshi

Champa Shravika

People of the country were extremely terrified by the oppression of the emperors of Delhi during the last three hundred years. But as the emperor Akbar occupied the throne of Delhi, there was a great sigh of relief and there was a new ray of hope among the people. Akbar was keen to know about various religions. Knowing their fundamental principles, he respected and honored all the religions. He tried to mitigate animosity between the Hindus and the Muslims. He made sincere efforts to temper religious fanaticism.

Once Akbar, the emperor, was standing in a balcony of his grand royal palace and had his eyes set on the highway when he saw a procession in which a shravika (a Jain laywoman) in a chariot was bowing to people all around and intermittently was making offerings to the people. She was preceded by a band and all the people in the procession sang auspicious songs.

Akbar was greatly surprised at the sight and asked the royal servants about the procession. Having inquired about it, the royal servants informed him that the shravika being a follower of the Jain religion, had undertaken fasts for six months and the Jain Sangh of Agra had organised that procession in honour of the prolonged penance of Champa, the name by which she was known.

Akbar was astonished at the fact that one could survive without food for as many as six months; since he knew too well as to how extremely difficult it was to observe 'roja' (a fast) for a month despite the permission for a meal at every night.

The royal servants added to Akbar's astonishment as they said that the shravika named Champa had never taken a meal either during the day or at night for six long months.

Akbar thought it to be impossible, hence he decided to test its veracity. Champa shravika was invited to the court with utmost respect. Akbar told her that it was impossible that anybody could undertake such fasts. Champa shravika replied that the strength of religion would make everything possible. Akbar added that he would believe Champa shravika if she would undergo fast in the palace under the watch of his guards.

Champa shravika agreed to the proposal. She stayed at the palace with full respect and honour and guards were posted outside the palace. On expiry of the time limit, Akbar wanted to know about her fasts and he was told that she had not taken any food either during the day or at night. Akbar's surprise was genuine. He had banned killing of any living creature for the days for which Champa shravika had gone on fast. Akbar praised and complimented her. Champa shravika said politely that it was possible because of the impact of the religion, the gods and the guru.

Akbar, the emperor, became interested and wanted to have detailed knowledge about the Jain religion. In all humbleness he requested Acharyashri Hirvijaysuriji to come to the palace for the purpose. After Bhagwan Mahavir, it was Champa shravika who had performed such a rare penance by undergoing six months' fast. These fasts created great reverence in Akbar's mind for the Jain religion, the Jain Acharyas and the Jain shravaks andshravikas. As a result he abolished the poll-tax levied on the Jain pilgrims. He acquainted himself with the significance of non-violence from Acharyashri Hirvijaysuriji - all this was the result of the most extraordinary penance of Champa shravika.