Monday, August 09, 2010

Jintur (Nemgiri) Fort

Fort : Jintur also known as Nemgiri
Town : Jintur

District : Parbhani
Type : Hill Fort
Route: Pathri - Valur - Lalthane - Jintur (60 kms)

The next fort was Jintur , we took the route through small villages and at one place the tavera was stuck in mud and water. We had to push it o
ut and then continued to Jintur. Jintur is a small town famous for its Jain caves. The fort of Jintur is also known as Nemgiri is built on a hill known as Nemgiri and infact it protect the Jain caves. Its also a Jain shrine. To get to the fort we need to go via the town center about 1km ahead. We can see the hill of Nemgiri quite clearly and there is a narrow road going all upto the top. The fort is not very huge but the caves are worth seeing. The carvings and sculptures are worth looking at. No photos allowed inside as its a Jain temple.

There is no specific history as to who built the fort but Rashtrakuta kings have ruled in Jintur. Some brief history of the caves (Source : http://www.
jainteerth.com/teerth/jintur.asp) In ancient times this area was famous as Jainpur, this was developed in the time of Emperor, Amogh Varsha of Rashtrakut Family. Later in the middle period of Indian History, this was destroyed by invaders, and its name was changed to Jintur, the current name. At that time 300 Jain families & 14 Jain Temples were here. Today two temples out of them only are present. Later in the year 1609 A.D. this Kshetra was reconstructed and developed by Shri Veer Sangavi of Bagherwal Cast. It is said that Samavsharan of Lord Mahaveer came here and the Last Shrut Kevali Acharya Bhadrabahu with his 12000 scholars including Chandragupt Maurya (The great emperor of ancient India) and the famous idol of Lord Parsvanath was also installed by them, this idol is staying in the space 3 inches high from surface without any support, so this is called Antariksha Parsvanath. According to archaeologists idols of this Kshetra are old about 1000 years or more.

Atishaya – At Nemgiri Hill, in Cave No. 5 miraculous idol of Lord Antariksha Parsvanath is very wonderful staying in the space 3 inches high from surface. It is said that desires of pilgrims are materialized after prayers & worships here. King Cobra often comes here and gods of heaven also come here for worships.












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