Gopachal Hills

 

Gopachal Parvat, popularly known as Ek Patthar ki Bavadi, is one of the spectacular tourist attractions in the ancient city of Gwalior. It has an average elevation of 197 metres (646 feet). Most part of it comes under Bundelkhand area.

The hill is home to a host of Jain idols numbering about 1500 varying in size from 6 inches 257 feet.  The idols have been carved by cutting the hilly rocks and are a superb example of Jain architecture of the medieval period from 1398 to 1536 AD. The most striking figure is colossal statue of Bhagwan Parsvanath in the cross legged posture which is 42 feet in height and 30 feet in breadth. These idols were executed during the period of Dungar Sigh and Keerti Singh of the Tomar dynastry. There are about 26 temples, the most famous of which is the Trikal Chaubisi Mandir.

Gopachal is thus an important place of Jain pilgrimage. It is the place of precept of   Lord Parsvanath and the place of salvation of 1008 Supratishtha Kevali. It is also known as Atishaya Kshetra (place of miracles). The legend says that when the Mughal emperor Babar occupied the fort, he ordered the breaking of the idols.  However, when the thumb of an idol was broken, a miracle occurred and the soldiers ran away. Gopachal Parvat is thus a unique and scintillating example and treasure trove of old Indian heritage and culture.

Some of the important festivals celebrated here include, the annual birth anniversary of Lord Parsvanath, the day of salvation of Lord Parsvanath and the birth anniversary of Lord Mahaveer and Dipawali.

Source:

http://bhaaratdarshan.com/mp/travel/gopachal-parvat/#!

 

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