New idol of Sri Seemandhar Swami at Azimganj

 There is Sri Seemandhar Swami temple at the first floor of Sri Neminath Ji Mandir at Azimganj, Murshidabad. The temple had a Choumukh (Four idols in four sides) of Seemandhar Swami idols. Unfortunately, one of the idols were broken (Khandit). It was broken long back.

However, it has not been reinstalled. Acharya Padmasagar Suri inspired Azimganj Sri Sangh to renovate Sri Neminath Swami temple during his Chaturmas at Azimganj and the Sangh renovated the temple as per his will. Even he has overlooked this issue despite complete renovation of the temple.

I have repeatedly  raised this issue of Khandit Pratima at several places and finally Sunil Choraria, secretary, Azimganj Sri Sangh, has agreed to reinstall the idol during my visit to Azimganj last Chaturmas. He ordered for an idol matching the rest of the three.

A beautiful statue of white marble is made under the supervision of Vidhikarak Yashwant Golechha according to the photograph and size sent to me by Sunil Choraria. The idol has been handed over to Sunil Choraria on April 8, 2010 during his visit to Jaipur along with Ajit Lodha, Suresh Jhabak and Baid.

Sunil Choraria has assured me that the idol will be installed at the place of broken one after Anjanshalaka.

Seemandhar Swami is a Viharman Tirthankar in Purva Mahavideha Kshetra. He is the most worshiped nowadays here among all twenty Viharman Tirthankar. Chaityavandana of Sri Seemandhar Swami is included in The Rai (Morning) Pratikramana. This shows his importance. He is alive and performing his Vihar in Mahavideha Kshetra and obliging people with his sermons in Samavsarana.

With regards,
Jyoti Kothari


(N.B. Jyoti Kothari is proprietor of Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry.
He is a Non-resident Azimganjite.)