Kunthalgiri is the only sacred place of southern India from where two ascetic saints, namely Shri Kul Bhushan & Desh Bhushan achieved salvation and went to Moksha in the period of Lord Munisuvratnath (20th Teerthankar) & Ram – Lakshmana.
Shri Kul Bhushan & Desh Bhushan were princes of a state. Due to some unexpected events both were inspired to accept asceticism, thus they put off their clothes & ornaments and became ascetic saints and started Tup (Penance) to purify the soul from affection, spiritual ignorance and so many ailments and to achieve salvation.
During their stay at Kunthalgiri, once upon a time while Rama – Lakshmana with Seeta were in the nearby forest during their 14 years period of living in the forest, they heard an uproar and many terrible sounds on the hill. They came to know that a god of heaven (enemy of previous life) was troubling to both saints, Rama – Lakshmana then went to the hill and freed them from trouble (Upsarga). Simultaneously both the ascetic saints attained Kevalgyan (Super natural knowledge) and also salvation from there.
This Kshetra is situated on 175 feet high hill. Two ancient images of foot prints of Kul Bhushan & Desh Bhushan are installed here in the main temple. It is said that a celibate of village Babavar Shri Metashah, saw a dream in a night where a cow allows her milk to be suckled by her calf. At that place there are lying the feet images of Lord Kul Bhushan – Desh Bhushan. According the dream, Shri Metashah searched that place and dug there to get the ancient feet images. Thus these feet images were recovered. All the public present there viewed the images with worship and full of devotion and enthusiasm. They took the images and installed them on a high rock. Later in 1932 A.D. these feet images were installed in Kul Bhushan Desh Bhushan temple after consecration.
Atishaya – It is said that in the main temple of Kunthalgiri. The Kul Bhushan Desh Bhushan temple, about 50 years ago the sound of bells were heard in the night and consecration took place. In the morning, the water of consecration was found in the temple.
Main temple of Kunthalgiri is Shri Kul Bhushan – Desh Bhushan Mandir known as Bara Mandir here. This is very beautiful, attractive temple with an artistic sky high spire. The standing idol is 3 feet high of Shri Kul Bhushan – Desh Bhushan made of white stone which is installed in this temple, these are also very attractive.
Idols of Lord Shantinath, Munisuvratnath & Adinath are also here. Near the gate on the right side a shrine in the wall exists, in which Lord Adinath’s idol in Ardh Padmasan is carved. That is very artistic and in the left side a white idol of Lord Parsvanath with 11 serpent hoods is installed. On the spire of wall shrine an idol of Lord Simandhar is installed.
In this temple the idol of Charitra Chakravarti Acharya Shantisagarji is also placed with the images of their feet. Acharya Shantisagarji ended his physical existence accepting ‘Samadhimaran’ during the state of self purification and self realization.
Second main temple at Kunthalgiri is Lord Shantinath temple with a 2 feet 3 inch high idol of the principal deity Lord Shantinath in black colour installed in V.S. 1932, with others idols, metallic idols of Goddess Padmavati & Sarasvati are also here.
In this temple, a room is to the left of the gate exists, in this room. Acharya Shantisagarji stayed in his last days and opted Samadhimaran to end the physical existence in the state of self realization & self purification reducing the attachment, anger and spiritual ignorance etc. the ailments of soul. Thus this room also became a sacred place for pilgrims.
Source:
http://jain.org.in/tirth-Kunthalgiri,Maharashtra.html
https://in.worldorgs.com/catalog/yasawandi/jain-temple/shri-kulbushan-deshbushan-baghwan-mandir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6DGLhZ7COU