Gauravvanti Dharti Tharadni - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Gauravvanti Dharti Tharadni":

This text, "Gauravvanti Dharti Tharadni" (Glorious Land of Tharad), authored by Chandrakant Bhudaradas Vora, chronicles the historical and religious significance of the city of Tharad in Gujarat, India, from a Jain perspective.

Early History and Establishment:

The city was founded in Vikram Samvat 101 by Thirpal, who migrated from Bhinmal.
It has been known by various names throughout history, including Thirpur, Chirad, Thira, and Thrad.
Tharad is famously known as "Laghu Kashmir" (Little Kashmir) due to its historical importance.
A grand Jin temple with 1444 pillars was built by Shrimati Harkubhai, sister of Thirpal Dharu. Evidence suggests this temple was destroyed by invasions, with remnants like large bricks, stones, and pottery found at the site.
Descendants of Thirpal Dharu ruled the region until the 7th-8th century, followed by the Chauhan dynasty from Naveli (nephews of Thirpal Dharu) who reigned for six generations.
During the invasions of Shahabuddin Ghori and Qutbuddin Aibak in the 12th-13th centuries, the last Chauhan ruler, Punjaji Rana, was killed. Subsequently, Multani Muslims ruled the area.

Religious and Cultural Flourishing:

The text highlights that Tharad was a center of intellectual and influential activities.
Acharya Shri Vateshwar Surishwarji Maharaj of the Chandrakul established the 'Thirapadra' Gachh (a monastic lineage) named after this city, indicating its prominence during that era.
Maharaja Kumarpal is also mentioned as having commissioned significant Jin temples in Tharad, as documented in historical accounts.
A notable event was the grand pilgrimage (sangh yatra) organized by Sanghavi Abhu to the holy pilgrimage site of Shri Siddhachal (Palitana). He met Peethad Shah's son, Janjan Shah, also on a sangh yatra to Palitana.
Another significant sangh yatra was organized by Punad Shravak from Nagar, which passed through Tharad on its way to Siddhachal. The devotion shown by the local community to this unrecognized sangh is noted as a historical highlight.
The presence of a large temple dedicated to Bhagwan Shri Parshvanath is mentioned, with Shri Vinayprabh Upadhyay's pilgrimage poem (Tirathmala) containing verses dedicated to it.

Influence of the Kadva Gachh and Major Religious Events:

The Kadva Gachh sect held significant influence in Tharad, particularly in the 16th, 17th, and 19th centuries, with followers also present in the 20th century.
A key tenet of this sect was the belief that "worship of deities is contrary to the teachings of Vitrag (the liberated ones)."
In Vikram Samvat 1936, Shri Dhanji Saji of the Kadva Gachh invited His Holiness Acharya Shri Vijay Rajendra Surishwarji Maharaj to Tharad. The alignment of beliefs between the Kadva Gachh and the Tristutik (another Jain tradition) accepted by the Acharya led to this invitation. The Acharya's arrival was seen as a sign of great fortune for the Tharad Sangh.
Key Events under the Patronage of Acharya Shri Rajendra Surishwarji Maharaj:
- Acharya Shri Rajendra Surishwarji Maharaj's Chaturmas (four-month rainy season retreat) in Tharad in 1944 was a pivotal moment. His profound teachings inspired Parekh Ambavidass Motichand to organize a grand sangh yatra to Siddhachal-Girnar, with Ambavidass as the leader and a thousand pilgrims, accompanied by 125 monks and nuns from various gachhs.
Subsequent Religious Activities and Acharyas:
- In 1984, Acharya Shri Vijay Bhupendra Surishwarji Maharaj's Chaturmas led to the initiation of "Upadhan Tap" and the establishment of Shri Dhanchandra Suri Jain Pathshala, which continues to function effectively.
- In 1985, Upadhyaya Shri Yateendravijayji Maharaj's Chaturmas brought peace to the community and resolved long-standing financial disputes within the Sangh.
- In 1995, Muniraj Shri Harshvijayji Maharaj presided over the installation of Bhagwan Shantinath in Rasuthara Street and also observed his Chaturmas there.
- In 2001, Muniraj Shri Harshvijayji Maharaj again consecrated Bhagwan Adinath (Rishabhdev) and observed his Chaturmas.
- In 2003, Acharya Shri Vijay Yateendra Surishwarji Maharaj, along with his monastic entourage, had his Chaturmas in Zaveri Bhudarmal Trivanbhuvanbhai's courtyard. Sadhvi Shri Kamalshi ji and Hetshri ji also observed their Chaturmas.
- In 2004, Acharya Shri Vijay Yateendra Surishwarji Maharaj and Muniraj Shri Harshvijayji Maharaj observed their Chaturmas. After the monsoon, the temple of Shri Munisuvrat Swami was consecrated by the Acharya.
- In 2005, Guruniji Shri Gulabshri ji had her Chaturmas.
- In 2007, Acharya Shri Vijay Yateendra Surishwarji Maharaj had his Chaturmas. Following this, a grand festival marked the installation of a large idol of Bhagwan Shri Mahavir Swami, and simultaneously, the temple of Shri Abhinandan Swami was consecrated by Muniraj Shri Harshvijayji Maharaj.
- Statues of Acharya Shri Rajendra Surishwarji Maharaj and Acharya Shri Dhanchandra Surishwarji Maharaj were installed in Sutara Street, and a statue of Acharya Shri Vijay Yateendra Surishwarji Maharaj was installed in Senara Street.
- In 2008, Sadhvi Shri Phalshri ji, Maganshri ji, and Uttamshri ji observed their Chaturmas.
- In 2011, Muniraj Shri Harshvijayji Maharaj had his Chaturmas and conducted Upadhan Tap. Guruniji Shri Hetshri ji, MuktiShri ji, and Sadhvi Shri Hirashri ji, Lalit Shri ji, among others, also observed their Chaturmas.
- The text mentions that religious activities brought joy to the city.
- In 2023, Muniraj Shri Shantivijay ji and Muniraj Shri Jayantvijay ji "Madhukar" had their Chaturmas.
- In 2028, Acharya Shri Vidhyachandra Surishwarji Maharaj observed his Chaturmas.
- In 2031, a grand event celebrating 151 youths taking diksha (renunciation) was organized, which is considered an unforgettable event in Tharad's history.
- The text lists several grand ceremonies like diksha utsav (initiation festivals), atthayi utsav (eight-day festivals), pratishtha utsav (consecration festivals), and ughapan utsav (completion festivals) that were celebrated with great fervor.

Dikshit Souls (Those Who Took Diksha):

The text lists the following individuals who took diksha from Tharad:

Munis (Monks): Muni Shri Charitravijayji, Muni Shri Jayantvijayji "Madhukar", Muni Shri Punyavijayji, Muni Shri Mukitachandravijayji.
Sadhvis (Nuns): Sadhvi ji Shri Manranjanshri ji, Sadhvi ji Shri Darshanshri ji, Sadhvi ji Shri Hirakiji, Sadhvi ji Shri Bhuvanprabhashri ji, Sadhvi ji Shri Premlatashri ji, Sadhvi ji Shri Purnakiranashri ji, Sadhvi ji Shri Kanakprabhshri ji, Sadhvi ji Shri Kashi Kiranprabhshri ji, Sadhvi ji Shri Kalpaltashri ji, Sadhvi ji Shri Kushalprabhshri ji, Sadhvi ji Shri Hemlatashri ji, Sadhvi ji Shri Shashikalashri ji, Sadhvi ji Shri Shashiprabhshri ji.

Publisher Information:

The book was published under the inspiration of Munipravar Shri Jayantvijayji Maharaj "Madhukar" by Shri Shantilalji Surana of "Rajendra Jyoti," Ratlam. The Gujarati printing was done at States People Press, Fort, Mumbai.

In essence, "Gauravvanti Dharti Tharadni" is a testament to the rich Jain heritage of Tharad, detailing its historical lineage, the establishment of its religious institutions, and the profound impact of various Acharyas and monastic figures on the spiritual landscape of the city.