108 Shri Bhateva Parshvnath Shwetamber Jain Mandir, Chanasma,Patan,Gujarat

The 23 cm tall, maroon colored, amazing and unimaginable statue of the infinitely benevolent 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanath Prabhu, worshipped by the gods of the heaven, adorned with seven hoods and miraculous and extremely effective, is millions of years old and is known as Bhateva Parshvanath.

The statue features Dharnendra on one side and Padmavati on the other. Below the statue are lions in a lotus posture, and Ambika Devi, seated with a child in her lap, is depicted. This statue dates back to the time of the 21st Tirthankara, Lord Naminatha. It is believed that Bhateva Parshvanath became famous because of removing the fear from the minds of devotees.

This unique statue of Bhateva Parshvanath is the only statue in the world, there is no other statue anywhere else.

Historically, according to a widely held belief, the construction of this statue is linked to the events of the time when King Prajapal, the ruler of Champanagari, attained Kevaljnana (enlightenment) with his minister Buddhisagar and “Nargosh Muni”. This idol was taken to the heavens by the gods, where it was worshipped by the gods for millions of years. Later, when Surchand Shravak prayed to Goddess Padmavati, the gods entrusted the idol to Surchand. This temple was established by Surchand Shravak in Vikram Samvat 1335 on the instructions of Acharyashree Ajitsinghsurishwarji of Achlagachchha.

The temple’s sacred precincts include a temple dedicated to Lord Shitalnath and another dedicated to Lord Adinath. The impressive statues of Goddess Padmavati and Bhairuji are also worth seeing.

Mulnayak:

Nearly 23 cms. high, catechu – coloured idol of Bhagwan Bhateva Parshvanath with a waist – band and in the Padmasana posture along with the idols of Dharnendra and Padmavati. Over the head of the idol, there is an umbrella of seven hoods. This idol is of the period of 21st Thirthankara Shri Naminath Bhagwan.

It is in the town of Chanasma.
There is a story of how this idol was made. King Prajapal, the ruler of Champanagari.with his minister Budhisagar went on a horse-ride to test the horses.The horses flew like the wind without stopping and they came to a jungle. Not knowing how to stop the horses they both caught the branch of a tree and got off the horses. The horses also stopped when their reins were left. As dusk fell, they both thought of spending the night under the tree. In the middle of the night, they heard music being played. Both of them went to investigate the source of the music. They found that “Nargosh muni” had attained Kewalgyana and the devtas had come to celebrate the kewalgyan ceremony. Both of them heard the discourse of the muni and took an oath not to eat or drink water before praying to the idol of a Thirthankara. In the morning, their oath was tested. There was no temple in the jungle. The king was feeling hungry and thirsty. While searching for a way out of the jungle, the minister found a lake. The minister made a beautiful idol of 23rd Thirthankara Parshvanath out of sand and gave it to the king. The king could not do Abhishek of the Lord because it was made of sand. Not knowing what to do, both were praying to the Lord. Being pleased by their sincere prayers, Devi Padmavati appeared before them and said that she has made the sand idol into stone. This idol came to be called as “Bhateva Parshvanath “. The king built a beautiful temple and installed this idol there. 30,000 years later, king Bhudar of Patan had a son. He was blind, dumb and he was suffering from uncurable illness. Acharya Dharmaghoshsuriji asked the king to sprinkle the bath water of Bhateva Parshvanath on his son. The prince was cured. Later on this idol was taken to Devaloka and worshipped by devas for 5,25,000 years. This idol was given to Surchand Shravak by devas when he prayed to Devi Padmavati.Under instructions of Acharyashri Ajitsimhasurishvarji of the Achalgachha this temple was established by Surchand Shravak in the year 1335 of the Vikram era.

Works of art and Sculpture:

This idol is made of sand and is very impressive. Along with the idols
of Dharanendra and Padmavati, this girded idol made of sand, looks very pleasing. There is an idol of Ambikadevi with a child below the idol of the lord. This sacred place on the Mehsana – Harij high way, is excellently grand. There is no other idol like this and one must visit this temple.