Of all the holy places in & around Nashik , which has long been attained the coveted status of the religious capital of Maharashtra , Mangi Tungi is considered to be a unique spot in the sense that for both Jains & Hindus , it is a sacred place. Rarely do two sections of different faiths converge together for a religious purposes . In fact , the place serve as a magestic & picturesque bridge between the two diverse religious cultures & reminds one of there same roots. For Jains especially , Mangi Tungi is nothing less sacred than Kanshi & Mecca . In the religious esteem of the Jains all over the world , Mangi Tungi is placed next only to Sammed Shikhar which is in the North India. Thousands of Pilgrims all over the world come to Mangi Tungi every year
Mythological Importance
Situated in Baglan tehsil , about 150 Kms from Nashik , Mangi Tungi is described as siddhakshetra which means it is a gateway to the state of enlightenment. The mythological tales assure those who are religiously inclined & who are seeking the path of enlightenment that more than 90 crore saints & celebraties such as Lord Rama & Lord Krishna had attained Moksha , the enlightenment at Mungi Tungi . Lord Krishna breathed his last & jettisoned his material body in the same area. It is further believed that his elder brother Balram , came out of the state of deep mourning after Lord Krishna's death & received paramadnyana ,ultimate knowledge which further helped him attain enlightenment at Mungi Tungi only. It is stated in the puranas that the last rites of Lord Krishna were performed by his brother here. Mythological tales further indicate that Lord Rama arrived here with 28000 Kings & 46000 others including his dear & close confidante , Lord Hanuman & after rigorous penance they all merged with the ultimate univerasl force. His wife Seeta also attained divinity at Mangi Tungi . Sevearl Jain sages also attained divinity at Mangi Tungi & even today it is a home for the seekers of truth & knowledge of the universe .
Rich Heritage
Apart from the religious importance of the place , Mangi Tungi boasts of a rich heritage value . Mangi & Tungi are actually the names of two peaks situated close to each other. Mangi peak is 4343 feet high while Tungi is 4366 feet high from the sea level. The 4500 steps which lead one to the foot of the peaks where several important monuments of immense historical & religious value stand amidst breath-taking majesty of mother nature also assure the visitors instant reduction of flab gathered around their tummies . Hundreds of caves with idols of deities & sages , carved from the mountain rock , in them are the main highlight of the place. Near Mangi peak there are several caves named after deities & sages who were liberated there such as Seeta , Mahaveer , Adinath , Shantinath , Parshwanath & Ratnatrya. Their idols in yogic postures are found in the caves . In Balabhadra cave too there are several idols in similar positions. The tourists find many huge idols in the open also. Krishna Kunda is close to the Tungi peak where Lord Krishna was believed to have been cremated. Other caves house the idols of Lord Rama & his dear & near ones. What attracts attention, however, imediately after reaching the place is mammoth , 31 feet high statue of hagwan Bhuubaliwhich was erected recently in 1996. The serpentine steps look like a cleavage of both the mountains . The steps, however, are the additions made in the modern times for the convenience of the pilgrims . There are caves named after several Jain sages like Subuddhamuni , Muni Suwratanath , Bhagwan Bahubali & 24 Teerthnkars in the middle of the stairway . At the foot of the hills there are three temples housing not less than 75 idols. Besides religious fervor , Mangi Tungi certainly is a paradise for hikers & heritage lovers as the mountain is not only surrounded by many historical spots & old forts but also gifted by picturesque nature . The great festival on the mountains is celebrated every year in the holy month of Kartik ( September - October ) when Hindus & Jains converge in large numbers to witness the grand Rathyatra. Interested tourists wanting to visit Mungi Tungi hilla , there is facility to stay in Dharmashalas & food at reasonable rates are provided . The ambience there is still free from either sinister CO or deadly decibels
Spread over an area of more than 40,000 square yards, Mangalayatan is one of the largest Jain pilgrimage centres in this part of the country. Its development plan was designed to adhere to the international quality construction and safety standards without compromising with the related religious concepts, guidelines and traditions, which have been implemented in minutest detail. After the completion of the first phase of development, the complex has been termed by experts and scholars as scientifically perfect and religiously authentic. Estimated cost for the first phase of construction has been Rs. 5 Crore. It also includes the cost of 40 thousand square yards of land. Second phase of construction is estimated to cost Rs. 3 Crore. This phase of Manglayatan's development should complete by the end of year 2004, following which the third and final phase would begin. Mangalayatan has already created a record of sorts by completing the first phase development work within the predefined deadline of 2 years. During this phase, all the major devalayas and basic facilities have been constructed. With its picturesque look and peaceful ambience, Mangalayatan has not only become popular among the Jain devotees, but has also become a major tourist attraction for people visiting Aligarh or the neighboring cities.
Bhagwan Adinath Mandir 
Mangalayatan features Bhagwan Adinath as the main deity, the Moolnayak. His temple has been constructed on an artificial hill running across the complex. The hill starts from the height of 4' and rises to 31'. On its peak, a white marble platform measuring 16' x 16' x 2.5' supports a 10' high pink marble lotus throne. Seated on this is an impressive 111'' high white marble statue of Bhagwan Adinath with halo (bhamandal) and three umbrellas (chhatras).
The statue, towering a maximum height of over 55 feet from the ground level, is a fascinating sight to anyone passing on the Agra-Aligarh highway. A staircase has been built for the devotees to climb up to the temple. For people who cannot climb stairs, a ramp way has been constructed. Installation of a high speed lift is also being planned for use by handicapped, disabled and aged persons.
Mangalayatan features Bhagwan Adinath as the main deity, the Moolnayak. His temple has been constructed on an artificial hill running across the complex. The hill starts from the height of 4' and rises to 31'. On its peak, a white marble platform measuring 16' x 16' x 2.5' supports a 10' high pink marble lotus throne. Seated on this is an impressive 111'' high white marble statue of Bhagwan Adinath with halo (bhamandal) and three umbrellas (chhatras).The statue, towering a maximum height of over 55 feet from the ground level, is a fascinating sight to anyone passing on the Agra-Aligarh highway. A staircase has been built for the devotees to climb up to the temple. For people who cannot climb stairs, a ramp way has been constructed. Installation of a high speed lift is also being planned for use by handicapped, disabled and aged persons.
Bhagwan Mahavir Mandir 
Shri Adinath Kund-kund Kahan Digamber Jain Trust has enshrined Teerthankar Mahavir as 'Vidhinayak' in the complex. His beautiful temple has been constructed over an area of 4500 square feet. Inside this temple, His 33 inches high marble statue is seated on the vedi built of white marble. It is surrounded by 30" high marble statues of Bhagwan Shantinath, and Bhagwan Parshvanath, sitting on white marble vedis. Bhagwan Mahavir Swami and Videhinath Bhagwan Seemandhar Swami's Ashtadhatu Jin-bimbs (statues) have also been established in the temple.
This temple has also been adorned with portraits of Bhagwan Kundkundacharyadev and Amritchandracharyadev engraved on marble slabs measuring 4' x 4.5'. These pictures, framed in beautifully engraved white marble frames, have been placed on the walls of the temple. Except the sanctum sanctorum (garbha griha), the rest of the hall of 50' x 50' is being utilised for meditation, religious discourses etc.
Shri Adinath Kund-kund Kahan Digamber Jain Trust has enshrined Teerthankar Mahavir as 'Vidhinayak' in the complex. His beautiful temple has been constructed over an area of 4500 square feet. Inside this temple, His 33 inches high marble statue is seated on the vedi built of white marble. It is surrounded by 30" high marble statues of Bhagwan Shantinath, and Bhagwan Parshvanath, sitting on white marble vedis. Bhagwan Mahavir Swami and Videhinath Bhagwan Seemandhar Swami's Ashtadhatu Jin-bimbs (statues) have also been established in the temple.This temple has also been adorned with portraits of Bhagwan Kundkundacharyadev and Amritchandracharyadev engraved on marble slabs measuring 4' x 4.5'. These pictures, framed in beautifully engraved white marble frames, have been placed on the walls of the temple. Except the sanctum sanctorum (garbha griha), the rest of the hall of 50' x 50' is being utilised for meditation, religious discourses etc.
On the walls of Mahavir Swami Jinalaya, 150 marble slabs have been fixed, on which Shri Samaysar gathas written by Bhagwan Kundkundacharyadev have been engraved.
Bhagwan Bahubali Mandir 
Bhagwan Bahubali Temple, covering an area of around 4000 sq. feet, is also a special attraction of Mangalayatan complex. The temple houses a white marble statue of Bhagwan Bahubali in standing posture. The 7'3" high statue stands on a 24" high lotus platform. The temple also has statues of Muniraj Bahubali and Muniraj Bharat in standing postures.
Design of Bahubali temple is the same as the Mahavir temple. The hall of the temple has been adorned with portraits of Dharsenacharyadev and Muniraj Padmaprabhamaldharidev. These portraits have been engraved on 4' x 4.5' sized marble panels. Marble slabs of 4' x 2' size, engraved with the text of the 7th Adhikar (chapter) of Acharyakalpa Pt. Todarmalji written Shri Mokshamarga-prakashak and Pt. Daulatramji written Shri Chheh-dhala, have also been fixed on the walls of the temple.
The Bahubali temple will also house a small library and a research institute until their spacious individual buildings, proposed to be built in the second phase of development, are ready.
Bhagwan Bahubali Temple, covering an area of around 4000 sq. feet, is also a special attraction of Mangalayatan complex. The temple houses a white marble statue of Bhagwan Bahubali in standing posture. The 7'3" high statue stands on a 24" high lotus platform. The temple also has statues of Muniraj Bahubali and Muniraj Bharat in standing postures.Design of Bahubali temple is the same as the Mahavir temple. The hall of the temple has been adorned with portraits of Dharsenacharyadev and Muniraj Padmaprabhamaldharidev. These portraits have been engraved on 4' x 4.5' sized marble panels. Marble slabs of 4' x 2' size, engraved with the text of the 7th Adhikar (chapter) of Acharyakalpa Pt. Todarmalji written Shri Mokshamarga-prakashak and Pt. Daulatramji written Shri Chheh-dhala, have also been fixed on the walls of the temple.
The Bahubali temple will also house a small library and a research institute until their spacious individual buildings, proposed to be built in the second phase of development, are ready.
Shri Bhagwan Adinath Swami Mansatambh 
The Manstambh at 'Mangalayatan' is a replica of the Manstambh of Bhagwan Seemandharnath erected in Songarh, the sadhnabhumi of our revered gurudevshri kanji Swami and Bhagwatimat Champaben.
The bottom of the proposed Manstambh has been adorned with Chitrapats (pictures) of the Tirthankars, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, Munirajs and Gurudevshri kanji Swami in different postures, in 3 steps in all 4 directions. These pictures are seated inside three cornices measuring 20' x 20' x 3.5', 16' x 16' x 3' and 12' x 12' x 2.5'. Above these cornices, there is a beautiful Jinalaya (temple) in which four pink statues of Lord Adinath, each with a height of 23 inches, have been seated on lotus platforms. On the top of the tower, four more pink statues of Bhagwan Adinath, each with a height of 27 inches, have been placed. These statues, all seated on lotus platforms, look in four different directions.
The ever flying flag on the top of the 63 feet high Manstambh always extends invitation to all the living beings to rid themselves of the feeling of 'I' and experience the unparalleled and out-of-this-world joy in the court of Jinendra Bhagwan.
To attain the highest standards of craftmanship, experienced and skilled sculptors from Jaipur had been commissioned to give shape to the magnificent manstambh.
Click here to read the details of the second phase of development.
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The Manstambh at 'Mangalayatan' is a replica of the Manstambh of Bhagwan Seemandharnath erected in Songarh, the sadhnabhumi of our revered gurudevshri kanji Swami and Bhagwatimat Champaben.The bottom of the proposed Manstambh has been adorned with Chitrapats (pictures) of the Tirthankars, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, Munirajs and Gurudevshri kanji Swami in different postures, in 3 steps in all 4 directions. These pictures are seated inside three cornices measuring 20' x 20' x 3.5', 16' x 16' x 3' and 12' x 12' x 2.5'. Above these cornices, there is a beautiful Jinalaya (temple) in which four pink statues of Lord Adinath, each with a height of 23 inches, have been seated on lotus platforms. On the top of the tower, four more pink statues of Bhagwan Adinath, each with a height of 27 inches, have been placed. These statues, all seated on lotus platforms, look in four different directions.
The ever flying flag on the top of the 63 feet high Manstambh always extends invitation to all the living beings to rid themselves of the feeling of 'I' and experience the unparalleled and out-of-this-world joy in the court of Jinendra Bhagwan.
To attain the highest standards of craftmanship, experienced and skilled sculptors from Jaipur had been commissioned to give shape to the magnificent manstambh.
Click here to read the details of the second phase of development.
Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you with Yahoo Mobile.
