Shrawasti (UP)

Shri Digambar Jain Shravasti Teerth Kshetra.
Place and Post Shrawasti
District-Shravasti (U.P.), Pin- 271845
Phone 05250-265295
Nearby Cities: Lucknow 160 Km. Bahraich 45 Km.
Balrampur 16 Km. Gonda 100 Km.

Shravasti is the sacred place where the Garbh, Janma, Tap and Kewalgyan kalyan of Bhagwan Sambhavnath the 3rd tirthankar were celebrated. At one time, this place was famous for prosperity and being the centre of power among states.

This was also famous for business/trade and education. It was here that the first samavsaran of Bhagwan Sambhavnath arrived at this place. The first spiritual speech (Divya Dhwani) was delivered here.

Bhagwan Mahaveer’s Samavsharan also came here several times. At that time, the ruler of Shravasti was King Prasenjit. Lord Mahaveer also stayed here for many Chaturmaas while he was ascetic Saint/ Muni.

It is said that Muni Keshi, met Gautam Gandhar Swami here and they discussed and cleared their doubts about spiritual matters. According to Harivansha Purana – King Jitshatru’s son Mrigdwaj accepted asceticism here in the garden of Shravasti being and after deep penance and meditation, he attained salvation from here.

According to Karkandu Chairu – Nagdatta the famous businessman of Shravasti being sad due to woman’s character, accepted asceticism and also attained salvation from here. Thus this kshetra is also a siddha kshetra.

Here Gautam Buddha – the founder of Buddhism, also practised for penance under a tree up to 15 years, that tree is still present here.

In ancient times Shravasti was highly prosperous and famous as Jain Teerth Kshetra. Many Temples, Stoopas, Vihars and Columns were constructed here. Ashoka the great and his grandson King Samprati constructed so many Temples, Vihars, Stoopas etc. here. In the same way Shreshthies (Businessmen) of Shravasti also constructed many temples.

Mahet is the place of ancient Shravasti and Sahet is near Mahet the place of Bauddha Vihar, that is ancient Jetvana. Remains of Jain architecture and art are found in huge quantity in the western part of Mahet, it includes the remains of Temples, Vihars, Stoupas, Idols and others, this is all related to the period – 4th Century B.C. to 12th Century A.D.

Here an ancient temple of Bhagwan Sambhavnath in tattered position is situated. It is now called Sobhnath Temple. Underground this temple, remains of ancient temple are found, over the temple a dome of Iranian style exists instead of spire.

During excavation many Jain idols are recovered from here. It is said that idols of 24 Teerthankaras were here. In a room of this temple. An idol of Bhagwan Rishabhadev was found on a flat stone, idol of Bhagwan Rishabhdev in seating posture is carved, on the sides two lion and an ox (Symbol of Rishabhdev) in centre is carved.

On both sides of idols two Yakshas are standing, three umbrellas are made beautifully over the head of Rishabhdev. This idol is magnificent and agreeable to be about 1000 years old. Idols of remaining 23 Teerthankaras are also carved on this flat stone.

So many idols have petrographic on the base, which shows that these were reverenced in V.S. 1133, 1234. In addition remains of Chaitya Vriksha and idols of religious goddesses are also found, these are the excellent specimens of mediaeval art.

It is supposed that around Sobhnath temple, there may be another 18 temples, one of them may be the birth place of 8th Teerthankara Bhagwan Chandraprabhu. Forest around the Kshetra is developed on the remains of Shravasti.

There are two new magnificent Jain Temples with artful spires at Shravasti.

First temple was reverenced in Yr 1966 by organizing a Panch Kalyanka Pratishtha Mahotsava. Bhagwan Sambhavnath’s white attractive idol in seating posture, 3 ft & 9 inch in height is installed as principal deity in this temple, this idol is miraculous and agreeable.

Second temple was reverenced in Yr 1995. This is extremely beautiful, attractive and decorated with high artful spires. Idols of 24 Teerthankara are installed in this temple with principal deity Bhagwan Sambhavnath. The 84 feet high temple is called Bhagwan Sambhavnath Chaubesee Mandir.

Third is ancient Sobhnath temple described above.