Shri Digambar Jain Atishya Kshetra Nava Garh is situated in District Lalitpur(U.P.) of
Bundelkhanda full of eye pleasing natural beauty. This is the place where ancient beautiful specimens of art are spread
everywhere which shows the glorious and beautiful past of this area.
From the inscriptions on idols and other proofs, it seems that Temples of this Kshetra were built by successors of famous
Padashah, Galhan who was the son of Ralhan. This Kshetra may be highly prosperous in 12th Century.
This Kshetra is situated in a small village Nabai that is also called NavaGarh. This village is surrounded by a beautiful
rivulet in three directions water is always available in this rivulet.
At this Kshetra, the main temple is situated in a basement which is under a vast hillock. This hillock is surrounded by
big rectangular pieces of rocks, which indicates the presence of a magnificent temple in the past here, these rock pieces
may be the ruins of the temple. In the centre of hillock, there is a basement 6 ft high and 8 ft in length and width,
where north looking magnificent miraculous standing idol of Bhagwan Arahnath (18th Teerthankara) is present which is 5 ½ ft
in height. This beautifully coated idol of blue stone was reverenced in V.S. 1202.
At present, on this hillock, a magnificent new temple, a Dharamshala and a museum has been constructed. In this museum
so many important and rare specimens of art are kept / displayed safely and in attractive manner.
It seems that this idol was kept here for safety, constructing a basement. This hillock is 125 ft in length and 80 ft
wide may be a temple at some time.
Archaeology:- This Kshetra is famous for many artistic specimens belonging to 9th to 12th Century. A grand arch found here is a proof of magnificent temple, on this arch two very attractive and ornamented elephants offering lotus flower, god and goddesses riding on elephants with beautiful water pots and flower garland in their hands are carved in a pleasant manner.
A seven feet high standing Teerthankar idol is the most ancient idol of this Kshetra, which is very artistic. This is called the idol of Yugadideo. This is supposed the work of pre-mediaeval period.
There is a very beautiful padmasana idol of Bhagwan Parshvanath is also found, which is 3 ½ ft in height. The base of this idol is made by serpent coils and beautiful serpent hood of this idol is broken.
In addition to this, in the pond/garden of village Sojana, four artistic ManStambha‘s are standing with Teerthankar idols carved on them.
Here at NavaGarh, ancient artistic Jain and other items are available in so much quantity that these
artful items may be found used in houses, drains, bathrooms, toilets etc. in village Umari, which is famous for attractive and artistic Surya Mandir (Temple of Sun), such scene many be seen easily.
Atishya (Miracles)-Deep faith of Jains and others is firmly connected with Bhagwan Arahnath. At the time of natural calamities, severe illness, diseases of animals peoples come to worship of Bhagwan Arahnath and due the firm believe their problems are solved automatically. At present also, villagers come here before starting the new work.
Once in summer there was scarcity of water and well was dried, then after worship of Bhagwan Arahnath, suddenly water in the well appeared and rose up to the level of 15 ft. |
Main Temple of this Kshetra is the basement, where Bhagwan Arahnath’s magnificent miraculous
ancient standing idol is present with other two idols, 11 other artistic idols are also installed in the upper part.
In the newly constructed temple, there is a grand colossus of Bhagwan Bahubali, just agreeable; in upper storey five
beautiful Teerthankar idols are installed. Temple is decorated with attractive artistic sky high spire.
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