Main stop : Samavasaran ( Step – 108 )
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The Samavasaran Mandir was inaugurated in 1986 after 14 years of construction.
It is a three-dimensional representation of the samavasaran. A samavasaran is a
preaching hall erected on the spot where a tirthankar attains Nirvana
(enlightenment). A tirthankar delivers ermons from this samavasran. According to
Jain texts, the heavenly pavilion is erected by devas (heavenly beings).
Humans, animals and devas assemble there to listen to the tirthankar speak. It is
believed that during this speech, there is no unhappiness for miles around the
site.As you enter the temple, the outside wall is lined with a 108 pictures of
various temples throughout India. The inner wall holds a 108 pictorial
representations of the lives of various saints.
The inner sanctum is a 42 foot dome with a 16 foot wide pillar in the center.
There are 108 idols of Parshwanath and the other tirthankars.Step outside and
you can climb further up to the top of the 108 foot tall Samavasaran. Here you
see four idols of Mahavir Swami facing in four different directions. This type of
statue is called a Chaumukhi.
Extra Info : Map
Extra info : Anathi Muni's ideas for salvation
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Find the pictorial representation of the lives of the saints labeled #1 on the inner
wall. This picture talks about Ananthi Muni, a Jain monk.
Once when riding on his horse, King Shrenik of Magadh, saw a young saintly
person meditation under a tree. He was attracted to the pleasant face and
glowing forehead and stopped to talk to the monk. Bowing politely, he asked
what compelled someone so young and handsome and in their prime of youth to
renounce everything and choose this path of piety.
The monk replied, “I was lonesome and a helpless person. I had neither a
protector nor a friend and I gave up my worldly life because of this helplessness”
The king replied, “ I will be your protector and friend. I will lavish you with wealth
and respect, so that you can live in peace and comfort with your family. Come,
give up this life of abstinence and come back with me”.
The monk replied. “How can you be my protector when you yourself are so
helpless. I too once had the wealth you possess. But once when I had severe pain
in my eyes and burning sensations in my limbs, neither wealth or love and
sacrifice of the family could bring me relief. I was helpless in the face of pain and
my family was helpless in that they could not help me. I decided that I would
renounce the world and that was the answer to my helplessness. As soon as my
mind was made up, the pain in my limbs subsided. I kept my resolve and
renounced the world. In renouncing the world, a totally unprotected soul found
protection in Lord Mahavir.”
Deeply moved, the King decided to seek out Lord Mahavir. Ananthi Muni went his
own way and ultimately achieved liberation.