Shwetambar Jain Tirth Darshan Part 02

The book "Shwetambar Jain Tirth Darshan Part 02" by Jinendrasuri, published by Harshpushpamrut Jain Granthmala, is a comprehensive guide to Jain pilgrimage sites for the Shwetambar sect. This second volume, following a previous publication, aims to provide detailed information about various Jain holy places across India and even in America.

Key Features and Content:

• Extensive Coverage: The book covers a vast array of Shwetambar Jain pilgrimage sites, including those located in the states of Bihar, Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It also includes information about temples in America.
• Visual Aids: The text is enriched with photographs of temple idols, historical information, maps, and images of pilgrimage-related art forms like "teerth pat," "rachna," and "rangoli."
• Spiritual Emphasis: The book emphasizes the spiritual significance of pilgrimage, viewing these sites as spiritual aids ("taarak teerth") for the soul's liberation. It distinguishes between "sthavar teerth" (immovable sites like temples and idols) and "jangam teerth" (movable spiritual guides like Tirthankara and monastic figures).
• Guidance on Pilgrimage Conduct: The author stresses the importance of proper conduct during pilgrimage, emphasizing the need for humility, devotion, adherence to vows, and avoiding negative emotions or actions that would disrespect the holy sites. It warns against treating pilgrimages as mere tourism or excursions.
• Historical and Religious Context: The introduction highlights the importance of Samyakdarshan (right faith) as the foundation of Jain practice, leading to devotion towards Tirthankaras and the establishment or restoration of Jain temples. It also mentions the preparatory works undertaken by various teams to gather information and photographs from across the country.
• Detailed Itinerary and Information: The book provides an index listing numerous locations, organized by state and district, detailing their respective page numbers. It includes descriptions of the main deities (Moolnayak), historical context, legends associated with the sites, and practical information about accommodation (Dharmashalas) and transportation.
• Dedication: The book is dedicated to respected Jain Acharyas, highlighting their contributions to Jain literature and spirituality.
• Publisher and Distributors: The publication is by Shri Harshpushpamrut Jain Granthmala and lists various sources for obtaining the book across India and internationally.

Specific Content Highlights (based on the provided pages):

The extensive table of contents reveals that the book covers a significant number of pilgrimage sites in detail, including:

• Bihar: Sites like Riujwaluka, Bhagalpur, Champapuri, Pavapuri (with detailed accounts of the Nirvana Kalyanak of Lord Mahavir, the Laddoo festival, and the Jalmandir), Bihar Sharif, Kundalpur, Kakandi, Kshatriyakund, Rajgruhi (with descriptions of its five hills), Patliputra, and Guniayaji Jalmandir.
• Uttar Pradesh: Numerous important sites are covered, including Chandrapuri, Singhpuri, Bhelupur (Varanasi), Bheden, Kaushambi, Purimtal, Ratnapuri, Ayodhya (highlighting its significance as the birthplace of multiple Tirthankaras), Shravasti, Kampilpur, Hastinapur, Mathura, Shauripuri, Agra, Meerut, Kanpur, and Lucknow.
• Bengal: Calcutta, Kathgola, Jiaganj, and Azimganj are detailed.
• Assam: Tejpur and Guwahati are mentioned.
• Himachal Pradesh: Kangda is featured.
• Kashmir: Jammu and Ukota are covered.
• Punjab: Ambala, Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Jhadial Guru, Amritsar, Patti, Hoshiarpur, Jira, and Malerkotla are described.
• Delhi: Delhi city and its temples are included.
• Madhya Pradesh: Alirajpur, Lakshmani, Nanpur, Talonpur, Kukshi, Bhopawar, Rajgarh, Mohan Kheda, Amijhara, Dhar, Mandavgadh, Indore, Dewas, Shatrunjay Avatar Tirth, Maksi, Avanti (Ujjain), Hasampura, Unhel, Nageshwar, Parasli, Mandsaur, and Pratapgarh are covered.
• Maharashtra: Numerous sites across the state are listed, including Nandurbar, Dondaicha, Akkalkuva, Khapar, Shirpur, Dhule, Ner, Amalner, Parola, Chalishgaon, Pachora, Jalgaon, Malkapur, Khamgaon, Balapur, Antariksh Parshwanathji (Shirpur), Akola, Karanja, Amravati, Nagpur, Bhadravati, Chandrapur, Varora, Hinganghat, Wardha, Darwha, Digras, Golbazar, Hingoli, Parbhani, Nanded, Latur, Jalna, Aurangabad, Katraj (Pune), Pune Camp, Satara, Karad, Islampur, Sangli, Kavalapur, Miraj, Kumbhojgiri, Kolhapur, Selu, Vaijapur, Malegaon, Chandwad, Yeola, Kopargaon, Shirdi, Sangamner, Sinner, Nashik, Vani, and Ahmednagar.
• Mumbai: A significant portion details various temples and Jain communities within Mumbai, including Dahisar, Borivali, Malad, Kandivali, Goregaon, Santacruz, Walkeshwar, Paydhuni, Prarthana Samaj, Fort, Bhaykhala, Kamathipura, Ghatkopar, Chembur, and Bhuleshwar.
• Tamil Nadu: Madras, Arcot, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Trichinapalli, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, and Coonoor are described.
• Andhra Pradesh: Nizamabad, Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Kulpakji, Vijayawada, Gudivada, Peda Amiram, Rajamahendri, Hinkar, Tenali, Guntur, Amaravati, Nellore, Anantapuram, Kurnool, and Adoni are covered.
• Kerala: Cochin, Alappuzha, and Kozhikode (Calicut) are mentioned.
• Karnataka: Mangalore, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Mysore, Mandya, Bangalore, Devanahalli, Kolar, Tumkur, Chitradurga, Bellary, Gulbarga, Hubli, Bijapur, and Belgaum are included.
• America: Temples in Chicago, New York, and Cinesadri (Ohio) are briefly mentioned.

In essence, "Shwetambar Jain Tirth Darshan Part 02" serves as an invaluable religious and cultural repository, meticulously documenting the sacred geography of Shwetambar Jainism. It is intended to be a guide for devotees, fostering deeper connection with their spiritual heritage and providing practical information for undertaking pilgrimages.