Gopachal Parvat

The Gopachal rock-cut Jain monuments, also known as Gopachal Parvat Jaina monuments, are a collection of Jain carvings that date back to the 7th to 15th century. These carvings can be found on the southern side of the Gwalior Fort in Madhya Pradesh. They showcase the Tirthankaras in both seated Padmasana positions and standing Kayotsarga positions, in the traditional naked form of Jain iconography. These monuments are similar to other Jain monuments found on the northern side of the fort, including the Siddhachal Caves. There are approximately 100 Jain monuments in and around the Gwalior city, but the Gopachal rock-cut monuments are older than the Siddhachal Caves, which are located about 2 kilometres north of them. The Emperor Babur ordered the destruction of both monuments in 1527, but they were later restored by the Jain community, including the addition of stucco heads to damaged idols. The author Raidhu consecrated many of the Jain rock carved images, including the two colossal images of Shri Adinatha and Shri Chandraprabha. The Gopachal rock-cut monuments feature Tirthankaras in seated and standing meditative poses, including Shri Rishabhanatha, Neminatha, Parshvanatha, and Shri Mahavirasvami. Jains believe that Tirthankara Parshvanath delivered his discourse on this hill.