Mahudi Tirth

Introduction to Mahudi Tirth Temple

Mahudi Tirth is an old Jain Temple located in Mahudi, Gandhinagar district, Gujarat. It is near the Sabarmati River. This ancient temple is one of the biggest Jain pilgrimage destinations in India. It is also called Mahudi Jain Tirth and Ghantakarna Mahavir Temple. Madhumati was the historical name of Mahudi Tirth.

History of the Mahudi Tirth

The Mahudi Tirth is 2000 years old. In 1917, Shrimad Buddhisagarji Maharaj Saheb renovated it. Mahudi Tirth is dedicated to Mulnayak Bhagawan Padmaprabhu and Shri Ghantakarna Dev Mahavir, one of the 52 Virs. Acharya Bhagwant Shrimad Buddhisagar Suriswarji Maharaj Saheb consecrated the idol of Shri Ghantakarna Dev Mahavir in 1974. People believe that his idol is powerful and miraculous.

In 1916, Vadilal Kalidas Vora donated the temple land and laid the foundation stone. He, along with Punamchand Lallubhai Shah, Kankkuchand Narsidas Mehta, and Himmatlal Hakamchand Mehta, established a trust and became trustees to manage the Mahudi Tirth.

Significance of Sukhadi

Devotees follow the tradition of preparing and consuming Prasad of Sukhadi (sweet) in Mahudi Tirth. They should eat the Prasad within the temple campus. The temple has the custom of distributing the remaining Prasad to poor people around the temple. Devotees do not take the Prasad to their homes to avoid bad luck. It is believed that one who takes the Prasad 'Sukhadi' out of the Mahudi Tirth premises will never be successful. In Mahudi Tirth, Prasad of Sukhadi is offered to Shri Ghantakarna Dev Mahavir.

The Architecture of the Mahudi Tirth

The Mahudi Tirth is spread over an area of 2 sq km. The unearthed idols, artistic remains, and the Brahmi script inscriptions ensure this place's history.

The presiding deity of the Mahudi Tirth is Bhagawan Padmaprabhu, a 22-inch marble idol. His idol is sitting in a Padmasana (lotus) posture installed by Acharyadev. A separate shrine is dedicated to Shri Ghantakarna Dev Mahavir, the protector deity. A shrine for Buddhisagarsuri was established later. It is customary to take circumambulation around the 24 shrines of the Tirthankaras here.

Shri Ghantakarna Dev Mahavir was a Kshatriya king, and Mahabal was his name in his previous birth. He was always seen with bows and arrows to protect women and unmarried girls from robbers. He also safeguarded their faith. Ghantakarna liked bell sounds and also had bell-shaped ears. So he was called Ghant (Bell) Karna (Ears). It is said that in his previous birth, he was very fond of Sukhadi. So, it is a tradition for all visitors to offer Sukhadi to him during the prayer. However, it is believed that the sweet should be consumed or donated before leaving the premises; otherwise, it might bring bad luck.

The Temple Trust constructed the 'Atithi Bhavan' to accommodate the guests and manage the Bhojanalaya, where devotees can get Gujarati food reasonably priced.

Festivals in the Mahudi Tirth

Paryushana Parva, Mahavir Jayanti, and Samvatsari are grandly celebrated in Mahudi Tirth. Every year, on Kali Chaudas (the fourteenth day of the dark half of the Ashwin month), thousands of devotees visit Mahudi Tirth to attend a Havan, a religious ceremony.

Over 2 lakh people throng Mahudi Tirth during Kali Chaudas. They form a human chain, chant Mantras 108 times, and sing Bhajans.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Mahudi Tirth

There is a bell at a 30-foot height next to the sanctum. Devotees climb up to ring it as it can supposedly help fulfill their wishes.