BHEEMKUND (RESERVOIR NAMED BHEEM)

The Bheem reservoir is quite large. It is about 70 feet long and 50 feet wide. It appears to have been made in the fifteenth century. Even in the scorching heat of the summer, the water in this reservoir remains cold. In one of the walls of this reservoir, one can see stone carvings of a Jain idol and a male and female devotee with folded hands.

Walking along the Western banks of the reservoir, one comes across a series of steps that lead downwards and are north facing. At the end of the steps is a small temple of Nagimata wherein there is a mass of stone. One can also see idols of Lord Neminath in the hollow of the left wall and that of the presiding goddess Ambika devi in the hollow of the right wall of the reservoir. The unfinished dome on the roof of this courtyard indicates that the construction work was left incomplete due to some reason. Further along is a crude path that leads to the temple of Lord Chandraprabh Swami.

GAJPADKUND (ELEPHANT FEET RESERVOIR)

The one who touches the great shrine of Shatrunjay, bows down to the great mountains of Girnar (Raivatgiri) and takes a bath in the Gajpad reservoir, is freed from the cycle of birth and death. Gajpad reservoir is also known as Gajendrapad or Hathi Pagla reservoir (Gaj or Hathi means Elephant and Pad or Pagla means foot prints). This reservoir is referenced in almost every Jain scripture or document related to Girnar created in the 13-15th centuries. Besides that, it is also referenced in the Prabhaskhand of Skandpuran. In one of the pillars of this reservoir, one can see the engravings of a Jain idol.

According to the scripture Shatrunjay Mahatmya, at the time of consecration of Lord Neminath’s main idol, along with Emperor Bharat Chakravarti and the chief disciples of Tirthankar, even Indra, the king of all celestial beings, had come riding his Airavan Elephant to witness the ceremony. One of the rituals in the consecration ceremony is bathing the idol with water and in order to carry out this anointment, Indra had his Airavan elephant press one of its legs firmly into the soil, thus creating a huge dent or depression in which water from all the special rivers of the entire universe had flown. Such was his devotion, that Indra used this special water for the bathing ceremony of Lord Neminath’s idol.

Consuming or bathing with this potent water eliminates several diseases. Even serious diseases like cough, asthma, tuberculosis, leprosy and jalodar are cured. The one who bathes in this water and then uses this water for bathing the idol of the Lord is destined for eventual liberation as it destroys ones karmas as well.

Celestial beings ensure that 14000 rivers empty their waters into this reservoir, making it a very pious reservoir. The water of this reservoir is very sweet and pure like fresh ghee (clarified butter). According to some stone inscriptions found dating back to Vikram Samvat year 1215, a wall was constructed surrounding this reservoir and several idols including that of goddess Ambika were installed therein.

Upon returning from Gajpadkund, one can come to the road near the main entrance of Uparkot (aka Dev kot) by entering from the window of Kumarpal summit and exiting from Lord Neminath summit. Right across this main entrance is a tourist rest house called Manoharbhuvan. Crossing the rooms of this rest house, one can take the way to Mansang Bhojraj temple via Suraj reservoir.

KAMANDAL KUND (RESERVOIR NAMED KAMANDAL)

The administration of the Kamandal reservoir is handled by the Hindu high priest and there is perpetual pyre lit here. There is a free community kitchen run here and scores of pilgrims take advantage of this facility.

Taking the dirt road through the forest from the South West corner of Kamandal reservoir, one can go to Ratanbaug. The road makes for an arduous journey, but celestial beings dwell here. Astonishing types of plantation and herbs grow here. In some scriptures, it has been mentioned that Lord Neminath’s body was cremated on a rock called Ratan, here in Ratanbaug. Since 536 other noble souls achieved salvation along with Lord Neminath, it can be clearly deduced that even they were cremated in this area.
Ansuya’s sixth summit and Mahakali’s seventh Kalika summit can also be reached from Kamandal reservoir.

DEDKI VAAV (WELL NAMED DEDKI)

Inside the premises of the Kumarpal temple, on the posterior side is situated the Vaav of Dedki. There is legend that it never dries up. At present, no substantial historical information is available about this Vaav.

GNAAN VAAV (WELL NAMED GNAAN)

After climbing down from the temple of King Samprati comes the temple of Gnaan Vaav. Next to it is the Gnaan Vaav. Not much historical information is available about this Vaav as well. But, perhaps, in the past times, for carrying out the work of the temple, the water would have been retained and accumulated by means of this Vaav. It is for the purpose of collecting the water that this Vaav must have been constructed.