VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Chatra, May 25: Bhaduli village in temple town Itkhori is always an important place for Jains as this is the birthplace of Jain Tirthankara Sheetlanath. Now with bhoomi pujan taking place this morning for the construction of Lotus temple, Bhaduli will get a grand identity in the next two years.
Itkhori is a confluence of three religions, including Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. The place Itkhori is having a 9th-century temple of the goddess Bhadrakali and many other Hindu gods and goddesses. The new temple is coming half a kilometre away from here.
The record said that Bhadalpur in Itkhori is the birthplace of the 10th Tirthankara Shri 1008 Sheetlanath Bhagwan. He was born in Bhaduli (then Bhadalpur) of Itkhori. During the excavation in 1983, much evidence related to this was found including the ‘charan paduka’ of the Thirtankara.
Sources said the temple will look like a lotus blooming in the pond. The temple of Jain Tirthankara will be constructed in the middle of an artificial pond. When viewed from above, the temple will look like a pond. A golden Kalash will be installed in the pinnacle of the temple. Sant Niwas and Dharamshala, bhojnalaya and parking and many other projects are in the pipeline for this place to develop it into a religious complex, sources added.
Temple committee secretary Suresh Jhanjhri told Lagatar24.com that the committee has set a target of two years to complete the temple work. He refused to share the total cost of the temple but said many other things will also come up at this place in coming years. He said the temple design was suggested by Param Pujya Ganini Pramukh Aryika 105 Shri Gyanmati Mataji and with his blessing this project has started here.