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.