Rishabh Dev, Khairwara

Rishabh Dev, Khairwara
Shri Rishabh Dev Digambar Jain Atishaya Teerth Kshetra Place & Post - Rishabh Dev, Taluka – Khairwara, District – Udaipur (Raj.) Pin–313802

It is a well known pilgrim site. The main attraction is the temple of Rishabh Dev, the first Tirthankara Local bhils also worship the deity. Lord Rishabhadeo is also Kesariaji because a large offering of saffron (Keshar, a common ingredient in Jain rituals) is made to the deity. Khairwar is about 65 km from Udaipur and is situated on the Udaipur - Ahmendabad highway. This place is now famous as ‘Rishabh Dev’ due to the glory & miracles of the idol of Bhagwan Rishabh Dev (Adinath). This Kshetra is known as ‘Kesariaji’ also because of the tradition of worship of the idol by saffron (Kesar). Due to the black color of idol this is famous in local & tribal public as ‘Kalia Baba’. This place is situated at the bank of river ‘Koyal (Kumarika)’ surrounded by the hills of Aravali Mountain Range. This ancient temple has great significance among various ancient temples of northern India having 52 magnificent spires on it. The idol of principal deity Bhagwan Rishabh Dev has no sign on the base of it, it is thus believed that the idol is very ancient and possibly of the chaturth kaal. This is also supposed that this idol was reverenced by Acharya Vidyanand in 8th – 9th century. Some ancient petrographs are also found here, that proves that this Kshetra was renovated time to time due to the precepts of Bhattarkas by Digambar devotees. The main deity of Bhagwan Rishabhdev is famous for miracles. Apart from Jains, Digambar & Swetambar both sects, Hindus also worship for getting blessings Earlier, as per history, Kasta Sangha Mulasangha Battaral ruled here.

Reference: www.jainpushp.org