Bhatgaon Digambar Jain Mandir
Some time ago, three or four thieves entered the temple with the intention of theft, but due to the divine aura, they lost their eyesight.
For the efficient management of the temple, the Shri Digambar Jain Temple Committee has been established. The active members of the committee are as follows:
Introduction
Located 13 kilometers away from Sonipat and approximately 56 kilometers from Delhi, a Digambar Jain Mandir in Bhatgaon is situated. It was around 176 years ago, when Lala Hukamchand Jain Kanungo (Hansi Wale) was appointed as the jailer of Bhatgaon by the British government. He was a devout Jain follower. He had a principle in life of starting the daily routine activities only after having the darshan of the deity. So as there was no Jain temple around the village, he had to travel daily from Bhatgaon to Sonipat, covering a distance of 13 kilometers for deity darshan. Subsequently, he got the inspiration to build a Jain temple in Bhatgaon.
The temple houses two Vedi (altars). The Moolnayak Pratima (main deity’s idol) in the temple is that of Shri 1008 Chandraprabhu Bhagwan, which is considered very ancient. It is said that this ancient idol was brought from Madras. The remarkable craftsmanship of the idol suggests that it belongs to the 11th century. It is believed that the magnificent idol of Shri Chandraprabhu Bhagwan in Tijara Ji, which was found during excavation from the earth, is similar to the one seen in the Bhatgaon temple. It is also believed that both idols were crafted by the same sculptor. Both idols are exceptionally grand. Alongside the Moolnayak Pratima in the Vedi, idols of Shri 1008 Shantinath Bhagwan and Shri 1008 Shitalnath Bhagwan are enshrined. The restoration of the Bhatgaon temple took place in the year 1975. In the same year, the idol of Shri 1008 Parshvanath Bhagwan was established in the second Vedi. The idol of Shri 1008 Parshvanath Bhagwan is made up of shiny black stone and is equally impressive. Alongside the idol of Shri Parshvanath Bhagwan, idols of Shri Mahavir Bhagwan and Shri Arhanath Bhagwan are also enshrined in the Vedi. The entire Garbh Grah is adorned with exquisite Jain paintings.
During the restoration, for the stone work on the Vedi, the key members of the community (Headed by Pradhan Lala Chhajju Ram Jain Arjanbis, Secretary Shri Prithvi Chand Jain, Lala Jeet Ram Jain, Lala Rupchand Jain, Lala Chandrabhan Jain, Ram Kumar Jain) went to Sonipat with Chhote Lal Mistri, whose son was paralyzed at that time. After completing the work at the temple, Chhote Lal Mistri prayed for the recovery of his son and returned home. After 15-20 days, he returned to the temple, thanked Shri Chandraprabhu Bhagwan Ji, and the community for their blessings. He explained that due to the extraordinary powers of Shri Chandraprabhu Ji, his son had recovered completely. Since then, people's faith in the temple has increased. Jain residents of Bhatgaon organize a grand event every year on January 26th (Republic Day). People come to visit here by buses from Delhi, Rohtak, Sonipat, and other cities to participate in this event. During this event, various programs like worship, devotional songs, and dances are organized with enthusiasm in the temple premises, followed by a free meal. This tradition has been continuing smoothly till date, and it is managed by the Jain residents of Bhatgaon who currently reside in different cities.
Atishay Katha
Several times, the resident priests of the temple have told the local inhabitants that during the night, the Dev (God) comes to visit the temple and express their emotions through dance and song, the sound of which they have heard many times. Recently, a few years ago, the members of the temple invited an artisan to do some painting work in the temple. He was working in the temple with bad intentions. As a result, he fell from the top of the temple while climbing. After that, another artisan was called upon. His son was very ill, so before starting work in the temple, he prayed that may God heal his son. He continued to work in the temple with pure intentions. Due to the immense blessings of God, his son recovered completely.
“Some time ago, three or four thieves entered the temple with the intention of theft, but due to the divine aura, they lost their eyesight.”
A person who was unemployed came to the temple to pray for employment, and his prayer was fulfilled. In his happiness, he came back to the temple and donated a golden Chhatar (brolly). The priests of the temple told that once their son fell very ill. They searched for treatment for their son in many places, but he did not find relief anywhere. The wife of the priest had deep faith in Shri Chandra Prabhu Ji, so she pleaded before the idol of Shri Chandraprabhu Ji in the temple for the recovery of their son. Within a short period, their son's health improved miraculously.
Dharamshala
There used to be around fifty Jain families in Bhatgaon at one time, but currently, only one Jain family remains. This family is responsible for the upkeep and cleanliness of the temple. Despite the low number of Jain families, people from distant areas come to visit the temple. A committee has been formed for the management of the temple. A 'Tyagi bhavan' has been constructed in the temple premises for the accommodation of Jain Saints. For the convenience of pilgrims coming from distant areas to visit the temple, two rooms have been built in the temple for their stay. Daily rituals, including the ablution of the idols, are performed using water from an ancient well located within the temple premises. Bhategaon is situated on Farmana Road, 13 km away from Sonipat, and buses are available every half an hour from Sonipat.
History
Bhatgaon is an ancient village located in the Sonipat district of Haryana, India. It is a small village that exemplifies rural Indian lifestyle. The population here is primarily based on agriculture and related activities. This village has been prosperous since ancient times, being abundant with resources. Bhatgaon is a very ancient village. It seems likely that Bhatgaon existed even before the first Battle of Panipat because at that time, the area where the battles of Panipat were fought was in close proximity to this village, where soldiers were stationed in camps. Based on this, the village was named Bhatgaon. The appreciation of this village was expressed during the time of the late Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru when in 1956, Bulganin Khrushchev, the President of Russia, expressed a desire to visit the village. The Indian government used white color extensively in the village for cleanliness purposes. At that time, people also witnessed the wrestling art of Swa Dara Singh.
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For the efficient management of the temple, the Shri Digambar Jain Temple Committee has been established. The active members of the committee are as follows: