Shri Rishabh Dev Digambar Jain Atishaya Kshetra or Kesariyaji Jain temple located in the Dhulev village in Udaipur, Rajasthan and is 65 Kms away from the Udaipur. The temple is situated on the banks of river Koyal (Kumarika) and is surrounded by Aravalli Mountain Range. The Rishabh Deo town is also otherwise known as Dhulev as the Bhil Dhula had protected and worshiped at this place. Shri Rishabh Deo is not only an ancient temple but also one of the four major pilgrimage centres for the Jains. Apart from the Jains, this temple is also thronged by Meena Tribals, Vaishnavites, Bhils, etc. Bhagwan Rishabh Dev is called Keshariyaji as the pilgrims offer a very large quantity of saffron to the lord during poojas.
Apart from the main idol, there are 23 other idols of which 2 are in standing posture and the remaining are in sitting postures. All these idols are made out of Ashtadathu and encircle the main deity. Just outside the main temple, there are 52 temples and on each pillar a Digamber idol is carved and surrounded by many carved idols.
Marudevi Mata’s idol is carved in the sitting posture on the marble elephant. She is the mother of Bhagwan Rishab Dev and the tourists will also find two elephants that are carved out of black stone at the entrance of the temple. Goddess Chakreshvari idol is kept on the north side of the temple and the idol of Goddess Padmavati adorns the southern side of the temple.
The idol of Bhagwan Rishabh Dev was brought from village Khoonadary which was a prosperous city then and was devastated by the Mughals. This made the devotees to shift the idol to a safer place. This idol was also revered by Poojya Acharya Vidyanand during 8th to 9th century. This Kshetra was renovated and the temple was reconstructed from time to time. Pagliyaji is a place which is two kilometers away from this temple where the footprints of Lord Rishabh Dev are kept in the cenotaph and was worshipped by the devotees.
The birth anniversary of Lord Rishabh Dev is celebrated in great fervor by carrying out the procession from the temple to the cenotaph during the month of Chaitra. It is said that the deity of Kesariyaji fulfills all the wishes as well as the desires of the devotees. Pilgrims from the surrounding states also throng this temple and worship by offering Kesar to the Bhagwan.
Architecture of the temple
The main temple consists of black coloured idol of Bhagwan Rishabh Dev and the idol is also called as Bhagwan Kesariyaji. The idol is called as ‘Kalia Baba’ by the local people since it is made of black colour. The idol of Rishabh Dev is carved out of a single black stone and is of the height of 3.5 feet and lord is sitting in padmasana posture with long hair that touches the shoulders. Near the idol two oxen are carved in the middle which depicts the 16 dreams of Tirtankar’s mother.Apart from the main idol, there are 23 other idols of which 2 are in standing posture and the remaining are in sitting postures. All these idols are made out of Ashtadathu and encircle the main deity. Just outside the main temple, there are 52 temples and on each pillar a Digamber idol is carved and surrounded by many carved idols.
Marudevi Mata’s idol is carved in the sitting posture on the marble elephant. She is the mother of Bhagwan Rishab Dev and the tourists will also find two elephants that are carved out of black stone at the entrance of the temple. Goddess Chakreshvari idol is kept on the north side of the temple and the idol of Goddess Padmavati adorns the southern side of the temple.
The idol of Bhagwan Rishabh Dev was brought from village Khoonadary which was a prosperous city then and was devastated by the Mughals. This made the devotees to shift the idol to a safer place. This idol was also revered by Poojya Acharya Vidyanand during 8th to 9th century. This Kshetra was renovated and the temple was reconstructed from time to time. Pagliyaji is a place which is two kilometers away from this temple where the footprints of Lord Rishabh Dev are kept in the cenotaph and was worshipped by the devotees.
The birth anniversary of Lord Rishabh Dev is celebrated in great fervor by carrying out the procession from the temple to the cenotaph during the month of Chaitra. It is said that the deity of Kesariyaji fulfills all the wishes as well as the desires of the devotees. Pilgrims from the surrounding states also throng this temple and worship by offering Kesar to the Bhagwan.
