Kundalpur
is one of the sacred places of the jains as it is the birthplace
of three out of the eleven disciples of Lord Mahavira.
Kundalpur is about 3.5 kms away from Nalanda-Bakhtiyarpur-Rajgir
railway station . Nalanda "Khandar" is 2.5 kms away from
Nalanda station, and Kundalpur is .75 km away from Nalanda "Khandar".
The route to Kundalpur via Rajgir-Nalanda 1s 16 kms and the distance
from Pawapuri to Kundalpur via Biharshariff is 29 kms.
Kundalpur being the birthplace of Gutamswamiji, the first and most
important disciple of Lord Mahavira, Agnibhuti and Vayabhuti (also
disciples of Mahavira) is sacrosanct . Agnibhuti and Vayabhuti were
brothers of Gautamswamiji. The main shrine of this temple is a black
colour "Charan Paduka" (approximately 25 cms in length)
of Gautamswamiji.
In ancient times Kundalpur was also known as Gubbargaon or Bargaon.
Nalanda and Kundalpur were satellite towsn of Rajigr. In 410 B.C.
when chinese traveller Fa Huien came to India, he found this place
to be ordinary. Later King Kumar Gupta made Buddhist monastery for
the monks during 424 BC to 454 BC and due to the establishment of
university of Nalanda it became a famous centre for Buddhist studies.
In the century when Huein Tsang came to India he has described this
place in his writings and it is believed that he stayed in this
university to persue Buddhism. The university existed till 13th
century and later it was plundered during the reign of Bakhtiar
Khilji. According to historical evidence , jainism prevailed here
during this time and it continued till later times. If archeological
exacavations are carried out, it will bear testimony to this fact.
Shree Jinprabhusuriji has mentioned Kundalpur as a pilgrim spot
in "Vividh Tirth Kalpa" (various religious text) during
14th century. Shree Hansomovijayji has mentioned the existence of
16 temples in the year 1565 whereas Pundit Jayvijay ji has mentioned
the existence of 17 temples in the year 1664 . In the year 1770
Pundit Sawbhaghyavijay ji has mentioned the existence of once idolless
temple (with one pillar) and some temples in depleted condition.
Thus the importance of Kundalpur lies in the fact that it is the
birthplace of Gautamswami ji, the first disciple of Lord Mahavira.
Besides , the Lord himself came here several times to preach his
religious teachings . Apart from this temple there is a Digamber
temple and one Dharamshala near the temple to accomodate pilgrims.
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