Bawangaja is a small town, situated in the middle of Satpura range, five miles from the town of Barwani, Madhya Pradesh.[1] As per the 2011 Census of India, the Bawangaja village accommodates 94 families having a total population of 494 of which 242 are males while 252 are females.[4]
Statue
The 84 ft (26 m) tall megalithic statue (carved out of a single rock) of Lord Rishabhadeva (the first Tirthankara and founder of Jainism) is situated at a height of 1,219.4 m (4,001 ft), in the middle of the Satpura range.[3][5] It was created early in the 12th century.[6][7][8] The statue is supported from the back unlike the Gommateshwara statue of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka. Along with the statue, the area has a complex of eleven temples.[2]
The idol stands on the base of the mountain just like the Gommateshwara statue of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola.[citation needed] In 2020, the Mahamastakabhisheka statue will be organized with an estimate of 1.5 million devotees.[9] The repairs of the idol were carried out by Bhattaraka as per the inscription dated back to 1503 CE. The idol was again repaired in 1989/90, followed by a consecrating ceremony organized in January 1991.[10][11]
The idol of Lord Rishabhadeva is made in brown stone in Kayotsarga posture. The hands of the idol are not joined with the legs. The structural art & style of this idol is unique and it is in perfect proportion. The various parts of the idol are quite symmetrical. There is a balanced image of all emotions like joy, mercy & separation on the face of this idol. To the left of the huge idol of Bawangaja Lord Rishabhadeva is the 4 armed Gomukha. To the right is the very artistic idol of 16 armed Chakreshvari.[citation needed]
Chulgiri Jain temple, a Siddha-Kṣetra,[12][13][2] is also situated on the hilltop, contains two inscriptions dated 1166 and 1459 AD.[1] The Indrajit, Kumbhakarna & various other scholars attained emancipation through the self-meditation. The 3 ancient foot images of Indrajit, Kumbhakarna & the other are present in this temple.[10] Except foot images, the two idols of Lord Māllīnātha & Chandraprabha are installed in the main altar. Moreover, the several idols are installed on both sides in the main assembly hall (Mahamandap).[citation needed]Bawangaja Yatra, an annual fair, is organized every year on full Moon day of Hindu calendar month Pausha.[14] In 2016, Bawanga Trust had carried out several development works including restoration of the temple complex and building of a 3-story dharmshala with 108 rooms having all modern amenities.[15]
