Mahalka Ji Atishay Kshetra
It is said that this is a Divine Occurrence (Atishay) of the idol that if someone is bitten by a snake within the boundaries of Mahalka, they do not die.
The management of the Shri Digambar Jain Mandir is carried out by the Shri Digambar Jain Mandir Prabandh Samiti, Mahalka. The members of the committee are as follows:
Introduction
Located approximately 130 kilometers from Delhi and 30 kilometers from Meerut, Shri 1008 Digamber Jain Atishay Kshetra is situated in Mahalka, a small village in western Uttar Pradesh. Formerly, there was a Chaityalaya (place of worship) at the site of the temple. In the Chaityalaya, an ancient idol of 108 Naagphani Shri 1008 Parshvanath Bhagwan was enshrined. However, in present times, the temple is known as Chandranchal Mahalka. The temple features a 108-foot high Jin Mandir (temple) built without any foundation. Inside the temple, there is an ancient idol of the eighth Tirthankar, Shri 1008 Chandraprabhu Bhagwan, which manifested from the ground. The temple has five Vedi (altar). In the Mool Vedi (main altar), the ancient idol of Shri 1008 Chandraprabhu Bhagwan is enshrined, while the second Vedi houses the idol of Shri 1008 Neminath Bhagwan, the third Vedi has the idol of Shri 1008 Mahavir Bhagwan, the fourth Vedi has the idol of Shri 1008 Shantinath Bhagwan and the fifth Vedi has three idols, where the idols of Shri 1008 Sheetlanath Bhagwan, Shri 1008 Padmaprabhu Bhagwan, and Shri 1008 Vasupoojya Bhagwan are enshrined. Along with the ancient idol of Shri 1008 Parshvanath Bhagwan, the temple also houses several other ancient idols.
Atishay Katha
Approximately 200 years ago, during British rule, Saradhna was under the reign of Mughal Begum Sumru. At that time, excavation work was underway for the Gang Canal. During the excavation, a white stone idol of Bhagwan Chandraprabhu Ji in the padmasana position was discovered. One of Sumru Begum's advisors suggested that wherever this idol remains, there will be the reign of Jainism. Begum instructed the scholars of the Jain community to take the idol outside the kingdom. The idol was transported on a bullock cart. The cart was moving smoothly until it suddenly stopped upon reaching Mahalka. Despite numerous attempts, the cart refused to move forward. At that spot was the Chaityalaya of Bhagwan Parshvanath. As soon as the decision was made to place the idol of Bhagwan Chandraprabhu Ji in that Chaityalaya, the weight of the idol decreased. Subsequently, the idol was established in the Chaityalaya. Over time, the Chaityalaya has transformed into a magnificent temple. Since that day, it has been observed multiple times that the color of the idol changes.
“It is said that this is a Divine Occurrence (Atishay) of the idol that if someone is bitten by a snake within the boundaries of Mahalka, they do not die.”
Dharamshala
Only three to four Jain families reside near the temple premises, yet despite the low numbers, the Jain community efficiently manages the temple. A guesthouse is arranged for pilgrims coming from afar near the temple. The guesthouse also has provisions for dining facilities. Additionally, a pharmacy has been constructed in the area.
History
The distance between Delhi and Meerut is approximately 70 kilometers. In terms of population, this is the fifth most populous region in Uttar Pradesh. After Kanpur, Meerut ranks second in military cantonments. Meerut is also known as the Sports City. It is bordered by Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar and Bulandsahar. Meerut has a history dating back to the time of the Mahabharata. In the Mahabharata, Meerut was known as Mayarashtra. In memory of the martyrs who died in the 1857 revolution, a martyr's memorial has been erected here. Meerut is also a major exporter of glassware in India. In Meerut, there are several Jain temples, including the Jambudweep Temple, Ashtapad Temple, and Bhagwan Shantinath Temple.
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The management of the Shri Digambar Jain Mandir is carried out by the Shri Digambar Jain Mandir Prabandh Samiti, Mahalka. The members of the committee are as follows: