108 Shri Saptfana Parshvnath Bhagwan Shwetamber Jain Tirth, Moti Bhalsan,Jamnagar,Gujarat

The 108 Shri Saptfana Parshvnath Bhagwan Shwetamber Jain Tirth is located in Moti Bhalsan, Jamnagar, Gujarat, and is famous for its idol of the Jain Tirthankara Parshvanath with seven snake hoods. The 20-inch high, white marble idol is the presiding deity of the temple built in Vikram Samvat 1540 by leading traders Rayashi Shah and Vardhman Shah, and is known as Shree SaptaFana Parshwanath due to these unique features.

Mulnayak:

Nearly 50 cms. high white – coloured idol of Bhagwan Saptfana Parshvanath in the
Padmasana posture. There is an umbrella of 7 hoods over the head of the idol.

Tirth:

It is in Bhansaal village in the district of Jamnagar in Saurashtra.

Historicity:

In the 16th century, many Jains from Paarkar Desh came and settled in Bhansaal. They were very rich and prosperous. Among them were 2 Shresthis namely Raisi Shah and Vardhaman Shah whose business turnover was in crores. These 2 Shresthis built a beautiful and alluring temple and installed the idols of many Thirthankaras in V.S.1540. One such idol installed was the main idol of Parshvanath Bhagwan with 7 alluring hoods. This idol came to be known as Saptfana Parshvanath. A flag is hoisted on the 13th day of the dark half of the month of Ashwin every year. It is said that a lady from this village took Diksha and became Sadhvi Sangyashashriji. She was on fast for a long time and she had a great desire to visit this temple. When she was in Ahmedabad, she took her last breath praying to this Saptfana Parshvanath Bhagwan of her village.

That same evening, the Pujari of the temple saw her worshipping this idol in Bhansaal. This is
indeed a miracle seen to be believed.Guidelines: Bhansaal is at a distance of 24 kms. from Jamnagar. There is only one house of a
Jain person here. There is an Upashraya and a Panjrapole here. There are many very famous temples in Jamnagar. Navanagar tirth of Neminath Bhagwan is 3kms. away from Jamnagar. This idol of Neminath Bhagwan was worshipped by Krishna and Baldev, cousin brothers of Bhagwan
Neminath.

Scripture:

A mention of Saptfana Parshvanath is made in “365 Shri Parshva Jin Naammala”, “Shri Parshvanath Naammala”, “108 Naam Garbhit Shri Parshvanath Stavan” etc. In “Shri Parshvanath Sankhya Stavan”, the poet has addressed Saptfana Parshvanath as “Kaamit fal daatar” and “Aape
bhav no Paar”. There are many idols of Bhagwan Parshvanath with 7 hoods all over India.