Paporaji

Paporaji Jain Tirth
Shri Jain Atishaya Kshetra Paporaji
Basic information
Location	Tikamgarh, Tikamgarh district, Madhya Pradesh, India
Affiliation	Jainism
Festivals	Mahavir Jayanti
Governing body	Shri Dig. Jain Atishaya Kshetra Papouraji Managing Committee
Specifications
Temple(s)	108

Paporaji, also called Pampapur, a temple site in Madhya Pradesh, India, 5 km east of Tikamgarh. is a center for Jain religion. This is an atishaya kshetra ("miraculous holy place"), with 108 shrines.

Shri 1008 Ajitnath Digambar Jain Atishaya Kshetra Bandhaji

History

The 900 years ancient black colored magnificent & miraculous idol of principal deity Bhagwan Ajitnatha is installed in a basement of Shri Bandhaji Atishaya Kshetra. According to historical & archeological evidences available' this Kshetra seems to be more than 1500 years ancient. This place is situated in between the beautiful hills full of natural & clean & peaceful environment. The 7 Bhonyare (Basements) are quite famous in ‘Bundelkhand’ which are situated in ‘Pava’, ‘Deogarh’, ‘Seron’, ‘Karguvan’, ‘Bandha’, ‘Papora’ & ‘Thuvon’. It is said that these 7 Basements were got constructed by two brothers namely ‘Devpat’ & ‘Khevpat’. The two ancient spired temples are also constructed here which are worth seeing from the point of view of art & magnificence. This Kshetra is quite wealthy from the point of view of archeology. The important matter related to Jainism is scattered any where in fields, pounds, ancient forts & in old temples. It seems that this place was developed during the time of Chandel Kings & Bhonyare (Basement) constructed during the time of Muslim rulers (to keep idols safely).

Main Temple & Idol

At Atishaya Kshetra Bandhaji, the idol of principal deity Bhagwan Ajitnath is installed in ancient Bhonyara. It was created & reverenced in Samvat 1199. It is black colored 2 & half feet high Padmasana idol. The idol is quite ancient, miraculous serene & calm. On both sides of this idol 2 feet high Khadgasana idols of Bhagwan Adinath & Bhagwan Sambhavnath are installed respectively. These both idols were reverenced in Samvat 1209. The other idols of Bhagwan Adinath, Sambhavnath & Neminath are also installed here. The huge spired temple is built near Bhonyara & it is 65 feet high. This temple was constructed in dense forest. Built in 18th century, this temple is quite artistic. There is one small temple near the spired temple. The small temple was possibly a ‘Math’ in ancient times and later it was converted into small temple. Like ‘Gandhkuti’ it is quite artistic. There are 12 doors in this altar and ‘Dharmachakra’ is created in center of this temple.

Overview

Atishaya – (i) Here exists an ancient little pond. It is said that when pilgrims dropped a paper listing of required utensils in this pond, the utensils were received from the pond and used by the pilgrims. After use and cleaning, these utensils were returned to the pond and utensils thus disappeared back into the water. This miracle is not seen nowadays because one person did not return the utensils received from the pond.

(ii) Here is a well known as ‘Patrakhan Well’. It is said that an old woman organized a party on completion of a big temple (Temple No.-1). Suddenly the water of the well was finished and lack of water for guests was felt. Than that old women entered the well and reached the bottom. Than as she started her prayers with deep heart, a wonder happened, that water began flowing in the well and as the old woman was lifted from the well, the level of water also increased simultaneously. Thus the honor of that old sacred woman was kept. This well still exists near the mess of school here.

(iii) Prayers and worship in temple of basement and in Chandraprabhu Mandir (Temple No.-42) is helpful in materializing the desires of pilgrims.

Administration

The administration and day to day activities of Paporaji are controlled by the Shri Digamber Jain Atishay Kshetra Paporaji Prabhandhkarini Committee. The committee is renewed every five years by general election. Mr. Komalchand Jain Sunvaha and Mr. Harsh Kumar Jain are currently the respective chairman and vice chairman of the committee.