Shri Digambar Jain Atishaya
Kshetra Marsalganj (Rishabh Nagar), is situated at the place Marsalganj, 21 Kms
ahead of district headquarter Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh (U.P.). This place was full of
wealth and business in 15th Century. At that time a Saint Baba Rishabhdas
arrived here. He was a strict follower of Jainism, although he was Brahmin of
South India and master of Mantra - Tantra.
At Marsalganj there was a little Jain temple, but by the inspiration and
cooperation of Baba Rishabhdas a huge beautiful and magnificent Jain Temple was
constructed there at the place of ancient little Jain Temple. He brought an
ancient idol of Bhagwan Rishabhdeo from somewhere and installed in the new Temple.
Stories of so many miracles of Baba are still popular here. According one
saying, while the construction of temple was started, due to instigation by some
jealous persons, King ordered to stop the work. As the construction stopped, the
Jains come to know about the solution. Baba Rishabhdas told them not to worry,
every thing will be O.K. soon. In the same night King felt that his fort was
moving and someone is beating him but invisible. In the morning the king told
about the happenings of night to his court/ Secretaries. After deep discussion
King decided to go to Baba Rishabhdas. He went there for apology and ordered to
start construction on the cost of state.
Babaji never collected donations for temple. He always paid the wages in the
evening by drawing the actual amount from his seat. At the time of temple’s
Pratishtha Mahotsava (reverencing function) due to the collection of large
number of devotees, water of well vanished. Then Baba dropped some pieces of
stones after reciting some Mantra, soon well got filled by water. In the same
way the shortage of Ghee and Flour was also fulfilled by Baba.
Baba’s power of Mantra - Tantra, Knowledge and Penance was so high, that so many
persons became devotees of Baba and Bhagwan Rishabdev. Pilgrims from even far
distances came there, get fulfilled their desires, getting free from worldly
worries. So this place became famous as Atishaya Kshetra.
In the magnificent and artful vast temple decorated with the sky high beautiful
spires, Bhagwan Rishabhdeo’s miraculous idol is installed as principal deity.
This idol is about 1000 years old, in seating posture (Padmasana), 21” in height
and white in color.
In V.S. 2001, a great Pancha Kalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsava was organized here,
at that time two beautiful alters were constructed and Bhagwan Shantinath’s and
Neminath’s idols were installed in them as principal deity. At the same time a
boundary wall was constructed there with five gateways - 1. RishabhDwar, 2.
DaulatDwar, 3. ManikDwar, 4. AbhayaDwar, and 5. VijayDwar
A huge artistic Ahimsa Stambha is also standing in the middle of Melaground.
In VS 2020, another Panch Kalyanak Mahotsava was organized, at that time in the
new hall of temple, Bhagwan Rishabdev’s 9 feet high white Padmasana idol was
installed.
Addition to these, Bhagwan Bahubali’s and Bhagwan Parshvanath’s and other idols
are also installed here worth being seen.
Idols of Acharya Sudharma Sagarji, Mahaveer Kirtiji, Vimal Sagarji are also
present here in meditation state.
Under the ancient temple, a cave of Baba Rishabhdas, used by him for meditation
and penance is present, a pair of Baba’s foot images is also installed here. It
is said that visiting this cave poltergeist disturbances come to an end.
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