Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir, Patan - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir

At a distance of 60 Km from Patan Railway Station, Shankeshwar Jain Temple is an ancient Jain temple located in Shankeshwar town in Gujarat. The temple is dedicated to Lord Parshwanath, the 23 Tirthankar of Jainism. It is the oldest, historical and major temple of Jainism after the Shatrunjaya hill in Palitana. It is one of the important Jain pilgrimage sites near Ahmedabad, and among the best places to visit as part of Patan sightseeing packages.

History of Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir

Located on the banks of the Rupen River, Shankheshwar Parshwanath Jain Temple was built in the year 1098 CE by Sajjan Shah. Later, Vastupal Tejpal renovated this temple under the instructions of Vardhamansuri in the year 1229 CE. At that time, the temple housed 52 idols. The temple was destroyed by Alauddin Khalji in the 14th century and later in the year 1652 CE, a new temple with 52 idols was built under the inspiration of Vijaysensuri. In 1703 CE, the Sangha built the new temple and got the idol reinstalled. But, the current temple was built in 1811 CE.

Mythology of Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir

The mythology surrounding the Shankheshwar Parshwanath Jain Temple in Patan centers on the miraculous abilities attributed to the idol of Parshwanath, as well as its ties to Lord Krishna and various historical figures. One narrative recounts how Ashadi Shravak, a devoted follower of Parshwanath, crafted a stunning idol and engaged in its worship. This idol was subsequently taken to the heavens, where it was venerated by the deities, before being returned to earth by Lord Krishna during the Mahabharata period. According to the legend, Jarasandha cast a curse or summoned a mythical creature named 'Jara' upon Krishna's forces during the conflict. This disaster was averted by anointing the army with water that had been consecrated by the idol of Parshwanath. The term 'Shankheshwar' means 'Lord of the Conch,' and the idol is reputed to possess extraordinary healing powers. Some traditions assert that Lord Krishna founded the temple and renamed the town 'Shankhpur' in honor of his triumph.

Architecture of Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir

The Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Temple, located in Patan, Gujarat, exemplifies the beauty of Jain architecture with its detailed carvings, elaborate pillars, and thoughtfully designed domes. The temple is adorned with mirror work, artistic summits, and intricate sculptures, featuring an open square, a decorated square, a large square, and two assembly halls.

Within the sanctum sanctorum resides a nearly 182 cm tall white idol of Bhagwan Shankeshwar Parshwanath in a Padmasana posture. To the right of the main idol is a smaller temple housing the idol of Bhidbhanjan Parshvanath, while to the left is the idol of Ajitnatha. Additionally, the temple contains the idols of Dharanendra, Padmavati, Parshva, and Chakreshwari.

Visitors can also explore several other Jain temples in Shankeshwar, including the Agam Mandir, the expansive modern complex of 108 Parshwanath, Padmavati (108 Parshwanath Bhaktivihar Tirth), Rajendrasuri Navkar Mandir, Kalapurnam Smriti Mandir, the Guru Mandir, and Dadawadi.

Festivals of Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir

Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir in Shankeshwar hosts several festivals, including Mahavir Jayanti and Paryushan Parva. Paryushana Parva is a purification festival lasting eight to ten days, during which Jains participate in fasting, meditation, and prayer, aiming to seek forgiveness for their previous wrongdoings. Mahavir Jayanti, celebrated on March 29th, commemorates the birth of the 24th Tirthankara, Lord Mahavir. On the tenth day of the month of Posh, the tenth day of the dark half of the month of Magasar, and during the Diwali days, thousands of pilgrims come to observe a two-day-long festival here.

Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir Dress Code & Other Restrictions

Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir does not enforce a strict dress code; however, it is advisable to wear modest attire that covers the upper arms and legs as a mark of respect. Men are encouraged to don a dhoti or pajama along with an appropriate upper garment, or to wear formal trousers and shirts. Women may choose to wear a saree, half saree, or chudidhars. It is recommended to avoid modern clothing such as mini-skirts, shorts, and sleeveless tops while visiting the temple.

Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir is open to people of all faiths and encourages visitors to explore and learn about Jainism.

Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir Timings

Monday: 5:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 5:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 5:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Thursday: 5:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday: 5:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Saturday: 5:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Sunday: 5:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir Entry Fee

Entry is Free

Best Time to Visit Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir

The optimal period for visiting the Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir is from October to March, with the highest influx of visitors occurring between November and February. The winter season offers the most pleasant weather, characterized by average temperatures that are ideal for exploring the temple. For those wishing to partake in the celebrations, planning a visit during Mahavir Jayanti and Paryushan Parva is highly recommended. These revered festivals are marked by vibrant celebrations, attracting a large number of devotees. It is recommended to avoid the summer months due to extreme heat and high temperatures, as well as the monsoon season, which often brings heavy rainfall.

How to Reach Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport, Ahmedabad is the nearest airport which is about 122 Km from Patan. It has flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, Cochin, and Lucknow. Patan Railway Station has well-connected trains from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Jodhpur, and Mehsana Junction. Ahmedabad Railway Station is the major railhead which has well-connected trains from all the major cities of India. Patan Bus terminal is the nearest bus station which is well-connected with all the major cities of Gujarat including Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Vadodara, Bhuj, Rajkot, Junagadh, Mumbai, Udaipur, and Surat. Travelers can reach Shankeshwar Parshwanath Jain Mandir by taking a bus or hiring a cab from Patan.