Spiritual Pilgrimage of Chha Gau

It is really a great blissful event in the history of Jainism to set out for pilgrimage of Chha Gau i.e. approx 15 kilometers. Leaving aside the worldly pleasures of all types, more than 70,000 people come out on the 13th day of falgun Sud to join the grand spiritual pilgrimage. Though it is quite clear that 5 crores of Jain monks had observed complete fast till death on 15th day of Falgun Sud and 14th day of Falgun Sud is the greatest occasion of chaumashi chaudash, why then the 13th day of Falgun Sud is selected as the greatest day for pilgrimage. The answer is quite clear as established from our old Jain faith.

Do all of us know about that great episode of Jain history ? It is really a matter of sadness and woe to forget the great religiously established and the most holiest occasion. Some of us take it easily and join the pilgrimage for fun and fancy. Such ignorants move freely as if they were on joyful journey for fun and frolic or a picnic. It is really painful to see people running here and there. Such a sight naturally touches the heart of us who feels badly hurt at this sight. So avoid making fun while undertaking the pilgrimage of Chha Gau and follow the serious view to shed all ill Karmas and achieve salvation-Moksha. The pilgrimage of Chha Gau contains Ulka Jal, Chandan Lake, Bhadva Hill, Siddhavad, etc. So it is rightiously named "The Spiritual Pilgirmage of Chha Gau".

Why is it mental Pilgrimage of Six Gau ?

We do this pilgrimage on Falgun Sud 13th. By doing this pilgrimage all the Karmas are destroyed. The dust of the path to the Shatrunjaya rinses the dust of karmas covering our soul and the movement on it puts an end to the cycle of re-birth. This thing is true. But why is this pilgrimage done on Falgun Sud 13th ? In answer to this question, some will say that this is the pilgrimage of "Dahin and Dhebra" (Curd and fried bread.) In Jin Shashan there is no pilgrimage merely for eating and drinking. It is the Sadharmik Bhakti to support the body after doing this tiring pilgrimage.

Some will say it is the pilgrimage of six gau on foot. This is true in the reference to the coverage of the path. Six Gau means 15 kilometers. But what is the importance of todays pilgrimage? You can hardly get the answer to it. So without knowing the importance of this pilgrimage, some do the activities of fun and frolic. Some reach to the tent without going to the Bhadva Hill.

Let us understand the seriousness and importance of this day. Innumerable souls have achieved salvation on this hill. In the worship of 99 kinds, it is said, "Here crores of soul have achieved salvation." On this day, 8.5 crores of holy souls have achived salvation. This is the very important, inspiring and enjoyable event. If we try to understand this, we shall, while touching this holy hill, feel a spiritual power entering in our soul.

Jaya Taleti

Today we are going to do the mental pilgrimage of Six Gau. We will have to start it from the Taleti (foot of the hill). This is Jaya Taleti. Previously, it was called Manmohan Pag. The pilgrims used to recite "Bolo Adinath Bhagwan Ki Jay" from then, it was called "Jay Taleti". Here, there are foot-prints of Lord Adinath, who had formerly climbed this hill for 99 purva times (1 Purva = 84000 x 84000). He is in the chief temple. A little rocky place of the hill is kept unoccupied as the symbol of its holiness. Let us touch it with our head and do the first Chaitya Vandan. (A kind of rite to bow the lord) Climbing further, there are foot-prints of Lord Ajithnath at our left side and the foot-prints of Gautam Swami, Adinath, Neminath, Shantinath, Dharmanath, Kunthunath, ancient Saraswati godess at our right side.

Temple of Lord Shantinath

At the left side, is the temple of Lord SDhantinath with his beautiful idol in it. It was built in 1804 A.D. by Seth Hirachand Raykaran of Daman. On this hill, Lord Shantinath had stayed for four months during monsoon with 15,25,577 monks. This temple was built in their memory. Let us do second Chaitya Candan over here.

Moving out of the temple, on our left side, is the idol of godess Chakeshwari, Chori (wedding stage) of Lord Neminath, a window of papa and punya.

In our first Pradakshina around the temple, there is Sahastrakut, foot prints of 1452 Ghandharas, Lord Simandhar Swami and Atmaramji Maharaj. Do the second Pradakshina, where you see New Adinath, Sammetshikharji and Sahastrafana Parshwanath. Do the last Pradakshina bowing Neminathji, Visha Viharam, Asthapadji, Acharya Hirvijaysurji and Rayan tree.

Rayan Pagala

Lord Adinath came to Shatrunjaya for 69,85,44,000 crore times. During his time, a grand Samavasaran was held under Rayan tree. At present, we find a mini temple with his huge foot prints called Rayan Pagala. The Pratistha ceremony of these foot-prints was done in the year 1531 A.D. by karmasha. Let's do third Chaitya Vandan over here. Then, let us bow to Nami-Vinami, Bharat-Bahubali, Vijay Seth- Vijaya Sethani, temple of choud (fouteen) ratna, miraculous Vasupujya Swami, New Tunk, Gandhariya Chaumukhji and complete our third Pradakshina.

Temple of Shree Pundrik Swami

At the end of third Pradakshina, let us bow to Pundrik Swami. He was the grandson and first Gandhar of Lord Adinath. He told Pundrik swami that, he will get Kevalgyan and achieve salvation on this Shatrunjaya hill. So with five crore disciples, he came to this hill and observing fast till death on Falgun Sud 15th, he achieved salvation on Chaitra Sud 15th. From that day onwards it is called Pundrik Giri. The Pratistha ceremony of this idol was done by Karmasha in 1531 A.D.

Grand Temple of DADA
Mul Nayak (Main Lord) Shree Adinath

Now, let us have Darshan of Lord Adinath. Enter the temple from right side and hail loudly "Bolo Adinath Bhagwan Ki Jay". Here, we have the vision of the divine light as if Lord himself has come to meet us! See the hypnotic gaze full of love and an ocean of peace. The face full of dignity and divinity. Without a blink, we see the fascinating idol of Lord Adinath with great devotion roaring on in our hearts.

When the Pratistha ceremony was done in 1531 A.D., this miraculos idol had breath practically for seven times. The greatness of this Lord is invaluable.

Praising Lord with traditional rhymes let us do fifth Chaitya Vadan.

Climb down from Ratan Pole to Ram Pole and from getting out through Ram Pole, let's start our Chha Gau pilgrimage from our right side.

The traditional handle of the temple's main door.