The Shri Simandhar Swami Derasar stands at Modhera Circle on the state highway at Mehsana, a natural stop on the way to Kalri and Becharaji. Its moolnayak, Shri Simandhar Swami, is a white idol in padmasan about 3.7 m (12 feet) tall. The temple was inspired by Acharya Kailassagarsurishwarji, its pratishtha was on Vaishakh Sud 6, Vikram Samvat 2028, and it celebrated its golden jubilee in May 2022.
Simandhar Swami, the living Tirthankar
Jains believe that Simandhar Swami is a Tirthankar living today in Mahavideh kshetra, in the city of Pundarikini, and devotees pray to him as a present, living Tirthankar. Mehsana's derasar is one of the best-known temples dedicated to him.
The temple
Planned under Acharya Kailassagarsurishwarji, a scholar of shilpashastra, the temple is about 161 feet long, 97 feet wide and 107 feet high, carved in golden stone and crowned by a tall shikhar. It is approached through the Moksha Praveshdwar gateway and surrounded by lawns and topiary arches.
Besides Simandhar Swami the complex has Kunthunath Bhagwan, Gautam Swami and Pundarik Swami, with Padmavati Devi, Ghantakarna Mahavir and Manibhadra Veer.
Daily darshan and festivals
The temple opens at 5:30 am, with vaskshep puja from 6 to 7, pakshal from 8:30, puja from 9 to 10 and the morning aarti and mangal divo at 10. Evening aarti is at 8 pm, and the temple closes at 9 pm in winter and 9:30 pm in summer and the monsoon.
Paryushan, the Navpad Oli, Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, Diwali, Gyan Panchami, Kartak Poonam, Maun Ekadashi, Posh Dashami, Akshay Tritiya and Chaitri Poonam are celebrated here.