Bandhaji is a historic
Jain tirtha about 35 km from
Tikamgarh
Tikamgarh is a Census town#India, town and a tehsil in Tikamgarh district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The city serves as a district headquarters. The earlier name of Tikamgarh was Tehri (i.e., a triangle) consisting of three hamlet ...
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History
The 900 year old black colored idol of principal deity Bhagwan
Ajitnatha
Ajitanath (lit. invincible) was the second ''tirthankara'' of the present age, ''avasarpini'' (half time cycle) according to Jainism. He was born to King Jitashatru and Queen Vijaya at Ayodhya in the Ikshvaku dynasty. He was a liberated soul w ...
is installed in a basement of Shri Bandhaji Atishaya Kshetra. According to historical and archeological evidence available this Kshetra seems to be more than 1,500 years old.
The seven Bhonyare (Basements) are quite famous in ‘Bundelkhand’. They are situated in ‘Pava’, ‘Deogarh’, ‘Seron’, ‘Karguvan’, ‘Bandha’, ‘Papora’ and ‘Thuvon’. It is said that these seven Basements were constructed by two brothers namely Devpat and Khevpat. The two ancient spired temples are also constructed here which are worth seeing from the point of view of art and magnificence.
[Bharat Ke Digambar Jain Tirth, Pt. 3, Balbhadra Jain, Bharatvarshiya Digambar Jain Tirthkshetra Committee, Bharatiya Janapitha, 1976, p. 107]
This Kshetra is quite wealthy from the point of view of archeology. The important matter related to Jainism is scattered anywhere in fields, pounds, ancient forts and in old temples.
It seems that this place was developed during the time of Chandel Kings and Bhonyare (Basement) constructed during the time of Muslim rulers to keep idols safe.
Main Temple & Idol
At Atishaya Kshetra Bandhaji, the idol of principal deity Bhagwan Ajitnath is installed in ancient Bhonyara. It was created and reverenced in 1142 (Samvat 1199). It is a black colored 2.5 feet high Padmasana idol. On both sides of this idol are several 2 feet high
Kayotsarga
Kayotsarga ( , pka, काउस्सग्ग ) is a yogic posture which is an important part of the Jain meditation. It literally means "dismissing the body". A tirthankara is represented either seated in yoga posture or standing in the kayo ...
idols of Bhagwan Adinath and Bhagwan Sambhavnath are installed respectively. These idols were both reverenced in 1152 (Samvat 1209). The other idols of Bhagwan Adinath, Sambhavnath and Neminath are also installed here.
The huge spired temple is built near Bhonyara and it is 65 feet high. This temple was constructed in dense forest. Built in 18th century, this temple is quite artistic. There is one small temple near the spired temple. The small temple was possibly a ‘Math’ in ancient times and later it was converted into a small temple. Like ‘Gandhkuti’ it is quite artistic. There are 12 doors in this altar and ‘Dharmachakra’ is created in center of this temple.
See also
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Paporaji
Paporaji, also called Pampapur, a temple site in Madhya Pradesh, India, 5 km east of Tikamgarh. The site is a center for the Jainism, Jain religion. This is an atishaya kshetra ("miraculous holy place"), with 108 shrines.
History
Poporaji ...
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Aharji
Aharji is a historical pilgrimage site for Jainism in India. It is located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, on the road from Tikamgarh to Chhatarpur. This place is famous for Jain Temple.
Aharji Jain Teerth
Aharji is a place full ...
References
{{coord, 25.0403, 78.74304, display=title
Jain temples in Madhya Pradesh
18th-century Jain temples
Tourist attractions in Tikamgarh district