Bawangaja Chulgiri

Bawangaja Chulgiri
Shri Digamber Jain Siddha Kshetra Chulgiri (Bawangaja) Place – Bawangaja, Post – Badwani, Taluka – Badwani, District – Badwani (M.P.) Pin – 451551 Phone -07290-222084, 282084 & 282133

Siddha Kshetra Chulgiri is world famous for its huge magnificent 84 feet high Khadgasana idol of Bhagwan Adinath, the tallest Jain statue till date. The Chulgiri Kshetra is situated on highest peak of Satpura Mountain range. Due to the tallest idol, this place has become well known among the masses. This is also the meditation & Nirvan place of Ravan’s son ‘Indrajeet’ & of Ravan’s younger brother ‘Kumbhakaran’ and many other Munis. This Kshetra is about 2000 or more years ancient. The main temple of this Kshetra was constructed in the 12th century. The nearby 10 temples were constructed in the 15th century by the percept of Bhattarak Ratnakirti. According to one inscription found here the main temple was constructed in Samvat 1223. But no inscriptions are available regarding the construction of 84 feet high idol. The scholar of 13th century Yati Madan Kirti had mentioned about this idol has written that ‘Arkakirti’ was the builder of this idol.

The huge and the tallest idol here is made by cutting rock of one single mountain only. This 84 feet high Khadgasan idol of Bhagwan Rishabhdev is made in brown natural stone. As no written evidence is available regarding its construction, it is difficult to say anything about the period it was made in. The idol stands on base of mountain just like the idol of ‘Gomteshwar Bahubali’ of Shravanbelgola. The unique aspect of the idol is the presence of all emotions like joy, mercy & separation on the face itself. On the left side huge idol of the 4 armed ‘Gomukh Yaksha’ & on the right side the very artistic idol of 16 armed ‘Yakshi Chakreshvary’ has been erected. Because of the large size of idols one can not get complete view of idols by standing on feet. The idol of Bhagwan Ajitnath carved artistically on a stone slab is also present here. The Chulgiri temple is also situated on the Hilltop & this temple is also called as Siddha Bhoomi. The Indrajeet, Kumbhakaran & various other scholars attained emancipation through the self-meditation. This is ancient & spired temple whose construction & restoration according to inscription was done in Samvat 1116, 1223 & 1508. The 3 ancient foot images of Indrajeet, Kumbhakaran & the other are present in this temple. Except foot images the 2 idols of Bhagwan Mallinath & Chandraprabhu are installed in the main alter. Moreover the several idols are installed on both sides in the main assembly hall (Mahamandap).