Kothali is a picturesque village situated in Chikodi taluk of Belgaum District in Karnataka. It is the birth place of one of the revered Jain saints called Acharya Deshbhushan Maharaj. Considering its sanctity, this village can be treated as one of the important centers of Jain history, where the Shri Shantigiri Tirth is situated. In the vicinity of this tirth lies an ashram devoted to Bhagvan Shantinath.
Shri Shantigiri Tirth
Shri Shantigiri Tirth is located near the Kothali village in Chikodi taluk of Belgaum District. Established in 1979, this sacred place could be treated as one of the important centers of Jain history. Here the presiding deity is Bhagvan Shantinath. The most important attraction here is the 21 ft high marble idol of Bhagvan Shantinath in standing posture, with the 19 ft high idols of Bhagvan Chandraprabhu and Bhagvan Mahavir on both sides. Other noteworthy things in the tirth are Samvasaran Mandir, Nandishwar Mandir, Lotus temple and Adinath Mandir.
About 1.5 km from the tirth lies an ashram and an adjoining temple, both dedicated to Bhagvan Adinath. The ashram provides hostel and school facilities in addition to boarding and lodging. The Shantigiri Tirth is visible from the ashram.
Mulnayak:
21 feet high Idol of Bhagawan Shantinath.
How to reach: The Tirth is near the Kothali village (birth place of Achraya Deshbhusan Maharaj). Chikodi is 16 Kms from this place. The Chikodi-Nipani road is 27 Kms and the way to Shantigiri is 6 Kms before the arrival of Nipani. On Chikodi-Nipani road, 6 Kms before arrival of Nipani, a Sign Board direct the pilgrims to Kothali village leading to Achraya Deshbhusan Maharaj Ashram. Shantigiri is 1.5 Kms from the ashram. If traveling on Poona-Banglore National high way No 4, one can reach here from Nipani to Kothali (6 Kms) before going to Tirth of Stavanidhi. The lodging And Boarding facilities are available at the Tirth.
Historicity: The newly developed Tirth of Shantigiri is near Kothali. The Ashram at village Kothali has a temple dedicated to Bhagwan Adinath. The ashram has facilities for Hostel, school in addition to boarding and lodging facilities. The Shantigiri Tirth is visible from the ashram and is at a distance of 1.5 Kms. The Tirth was developed in 1979. The temples at the Tirth are:
Samvasaran Mandir: It is housed in a 22 by 22 feet hall with colored glasswork depicting the creation of Samvasaran.
Nandishwar Mandir: It is housed in a 30 by 30 feet hall having 5 artificial hillocks having 52 idols of brass in Padamasan postures.
Lotus temple: it is an octangular hall where the idols of 24 Tirthankars are installed. The Mulnayak of this temple is Bhagwan Padamparbhu in the center in standing posture. The other 23 tirthankars are in padamasan postures. (4) 17 feet High marble idol of Bhagwan Parsvanath with shade of 7 hoods on a lotus seat under the open sky. The images of Dharender and Padmavati are also here. (5) Adinath Mandir- the three idols of Bharat, Adinath and Bahubali in standing posture. Suitable steps are erected to perform the puja by the pilgrims. A marble Samvasaran is also housed in a glass enclosure. There is a 4 feet high brass Choubisi with Bhagwan mahavir as the Mulnayak in this temple. There is 24 idols of future tirthankars is very artistic and beautiful. The idols of great Achraya are also here.
The most attractive part of the Tirth is 21 feet high marble idol of Bhagwan Shantinath in standing posture with the 19 feet high idols of Bhagwan Chandraprabhu and Bhagwan Mahavir on either side. These idols are under the open sky and leave a lasting peaceful impact on the pilgrims. This place could be referred to as the center of Jain history.