Dhanyabhumi Loladano Aetihasik Parichaya

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Lolada village, focusing on its historical and religious significance:

The book, "Dhanyabhumi Loladano Aetihasik Parichaya" (Historical Introduction to the Blessed Land of Lolada) by Jayantilal P. Shah, delves into the rich history of the village of Lolada, located in the Sami taluka of the Mehsana district in Gujarat, India.

Key Points:

• Location and Connectivity: Lolada is situated near the prominent Jain pilgrimage site of Shankheshwar (10 km away). It is also accessible from Patan, Radhanpur, Mehsana, Harij, Sami, and Mandal. It is identified as one of the five villages associated with Shankheshwar Tirtha. The village is connected by a paved road from the Sami-Shankheshwar route and is accessible by state transport buses.

• Ancient and Glorious Past: Lolada is an ancient village with a grand past. Its earliest historical mentions date back to around 800 CE. Notably, it is mentioned as the birthplace of the founder of Gujarat, Vanraj Chavda, in the nearby forests. The village has been the birthplace of many notable individuals, including the revered Yugpradhan Shri KalyanSagar Surishwarji Dada and Vachharaj Salki.

• Historical Demise and Changes:

  • Initially, Lolada was a large town with 100 houses and served as the capital for the Rathod dynasty of Garasias in the "Chavis Paragana" region.
  • It had a magnificent Jain temple dedicated to Lord Shantinath, an Upashray (monastic dwelling), and a Pathshala (school). The temple housed five Jin images.
  • However, like many ancient cities, Lolada also suffered destruction. During the Muslim rule in India, it became a target of religiously motivated invasions and attacks.
  • The Rathod rulers were forced to convert to Islam, and their descendants are now known as "Malaeslam Garasia."
  • Later, the Nawab of Radhanpur took control of the area from the Garasias. Lolada remained under the rule of the Radhanpur state until India's independence and the subsequent integration of princely states.

• Decline of the Jain Community: Over time, the Jain Shravak (lay follower) population dwindled from 100 households to just three. Some families moved out for business, while others perished. The grand temple of Lord Shantinath, which once housed five idols, now only has the original idol of Lord Shantinath remaining. Due to the reduced Jain population, many of the temple idols had to be given to temples in other cities.

• Present Day Lolada:

  • Currently, Lolada has eight Jain households.
  • It possesses an ancient, miraculous idol of Lord Shantinath in its temple, which was renovated about fifty years ago by Seth Jamnabhai Bhagubhai of Ahmedabad.
  • The village also has an Upashray. However, the Pathshala, Bhojanshala (dining hall), and Ayambilshala (place for fasting) have been closed due to lack of income over time.
  • The total village population is now 4,000, making it the second-largest village in the Sami taluka.
  • The village is well-equipped with modern amenities, including educational institutions (from Balmandir to SSCE), a public hostel, a bank, a hospital, electricity, telephone, and piped water.
  • There is a strong sense of communal harmony between the Jain families and other communities in the village. A testament to this is that a Jain brother has been unanimously elected as the Sarpanch (village head) for the last 10 years, without any elections, despite the village having a diverse population with varied occupations. Local Jain leaders hold significant respect and influence at the taluka, district, and state levels.

• Historical Mentions and Events from "Shri Parshva Likhit Anchalgachh Digdgdarshan":

  • Samvat 1224: Acharya Jayasinh Suri converted Dugra Raut, a Rathod ruler, and his lineage to Jainism. These descendants are known as "Padaiya gotra" within the Oswal caste.
  • Loladia Gotra: In Samvat 1220, Seth Lengi of the Shrimali caste in Napa village adopted Jainism under the guidance of Acharya Jayasinh Suri. His descendants, who settled in Lolada, became known by the "Loladia gotra."
  • Samvat 1444: Acharya Merutunga Suri spent his Chaturmas (four-month rainy season retreat) in Lolada. He converted King Megharaj of the Rathod dynasty and 100 of his men to Jainism.
  • Miraculous Defense: During a time when the villagers of Lolada were away at a wedding, the Gujarat Emperor attacked. Acharya Merutunga Suri, by providing blessed rice to the villagers and instructing them to run towards the enemy without looking back, caused the rice grains to transform into soldiers. This sight terrified the Emperor's army, forcing them to retreat. The villagers, impressed by the Acharya's power, ensured that no other monastic order's ascetics would reside there until the Vidhipaksh Gachh's ascetics were present.
  • Dispelling Serpent's Menace: Acharya Merutunga Suri also averted a severe serpent-related calamity in Lolada by reciting the "Shri Parshvanath Stavan."
  • "Guravali" by Bhavasar: This text also mentions the incident where Acharya Merutunga Suri, while meditating, was bitten by a black serpent but remained unaffected due to his meditative power.
  • Samvat 1429 & 1438: Under the guidance of Acharya Merutunga Suri, donations for the installation of Jin images were made by the children of Seth Dhana of the Shrimali caste.
  • "Shri Jirapalli Parshvanath Stava": This hymn, composed in Lolada, successfully averted a calamity. It is considered a powerful mantra and holds the sixth position among the seven mnemonic verses recited in the Anchalgachh. The hymn was composed in Lolada and helped ward off the threats posed by Sultan Muhammad's army.
  • Samvat 1532: A Jin image of Lord Suvidhinath was installed in Lolada by five affluent individuals, including the son of Dhanade, for the merit of their father. Another Jin image of Lord Kunthunath was also installed in Lolada by Shravak Suya.
  • Samvat 1527-1532: Acharya Jayakesar Suri's travels included Lolada.
  • Samvat 1527: Under the guidance of Acharya Jayakesar Suri, Seth Bhala of Lolada had a Jin image of Lord Parshvanath installed.
  • Samvat 1475: Samara, of the Padaiya gotra, from the Aesh clan, built the temple of Lord Shantinath in Lolada, which still exists today. Under the guidance of Acharya Jayakesar Suri, Samara also undertook a pilgrimage, spending a lakh of rupees.
  • Samvat 1594: Vidyavallabh Gani of the Wav lineage wrote a manuscript in Lolada.
  • Samvat 1633 (June 14, Thursday): The great Yugpradhan Shri KalyanSagar Surishwarji Dada was born in Lolada to Naniladevi, wife of Shreshthi Naningbaba of the Kothari lineage.

• Call for Remembrance and Memorials: The text concludes with a poignant observation that despite Lolada being the birthplace of the great Yugpradhan Shri KalyanSagar Surishwarji Dada and a place where many learned Acharyas resided and composed significant works, it has been largely neglected by the followers of the Anchalgachh in recent years. It is a matter of great sorrow that there is no memorial to Shri KalyanSagar Surishwarji Dada in his birthplace. The author emphasizes the urgent need to build a Gurumandir (temple dedicated to the guru) and an Upashray in Lolada as a tribute to him. Due to financial constraints of the local Jain community, this is not possible. Therefore, a plea is made to the esteemed monks, nuns, and lay followers of the Anchalgachh to help erect one or two grand memorials in Lolada to honor the significant contributions of Yugpradhan Dada.