Bhadravati was the ancient name of this place. Today, this city is known asBhadreshwar or Vasai. There are references to this city existing during the times of theMahabharata. This city was the Karmabhoomi of Vijay Sheth and Vijaya Shetani who hold aprominent place in Jain history. Although being married to each other, they were "AkhandBrahmachari" (celibate) for life. Devchandra Shresthi was very religious and wanted to build atemple. 23years after the Nirvana of Bhagwan Mahaveer, he laid the foundation stone for thistemple. He built a beautiful and glorious temple here like a Dev Viman. The idol of BhagwanParshwanath was ceremonially installed by the revered hands of "Kevali Shri Kapil Muni" 45 yearsafter the Nirvana of Bhagwan Mahaveer. Vijay Sheth and Vijaya Shetani took "Diksha" on thisoccasion. Idols installed by Shri Kapil Kevli are rare and this is the prestigious point of this temple.Maharaja Samprati, Kanak Chavda, Maharaja Kumarpal, Vastupal-Tejpal have all renovated thistemple. There are references showing that this temple was renovated by Shrimali brothers in theyear 1134 and by Sheth Shri Jagdu Shah in the year 1312-1313 of the Vikram era. In Vikram year1313 during the catastrophe of an extensive acute famine for three years, Jagdu Shah showed hisgenerosity and magnanimity by helping the people with free distribution of food grains and clothingand opening shelter houses. In course of time, the city was considerably damaged including thetemple. A muni took the idol of Shri Parshwanath and hid it in a basement for its safety. In VikramSamvat 1622, the Jain sangh renovated this temple and ceremonially installed the idol of ShriMahavir Bhagwan in the temple as the Mulnayak. After many years, this idol of Parshwanath wasreturned to the temple and the idol was installed in the temple in the 25th deri. This idol ofParshwanath is there even today. In Vikram year 1682, Sheth Vardhaman Shah and Sheth ShriPadamsingh renovated this temple. It is said that some time later, the local chieftain (Thakur) hadtaken over the management of the temple and in Vikram year 1920 Jain community took back themanagement of the temple and renovated it. A reference is found that the last renovations werecarried out at the instance of Srimati Mithabai wife of Mandvi resident Sheth Monsi Tejsi in Vikramyear 1939. At present, the management of the temple is in the hands of Shri Vardhaman KalyanjiPedi. Due to the earthquake some years back, a lot of damage has been done to the temple.Renovation work is under progressOn the maidan of nearly two and a half lakhs of square feet, this is avery beautiful temple comparable to an elegant residence of God. The main temple is surroundedby 51 small temples. Gurumandirs of the Paychalgachchha, the Khartarga gachchha, theTapagchchha are there. The garden in the open space presents a beautiful sight. The three doorsand the arched gate of the temple stand out as distinctly superior to other works of sculpture. Thetemple is 38 feet high, 80 feet broad and 150 feet long. The entrance of the temple is constructedin such a manner that the idol of God is seen from the sculptured gateway. The canvas paintingsof life events of Bhagawan Mahaveer and Bhagwan Parshwanath and of sacred pilgrimages lookvery fascinating. In the temples, there are 218 pillars and 146 idols of God. There are niches foridols of presiding gods and goddesses of Mahaveer Swami. Besides, the idols of GanadharSudharma Swami, Vagheshvaridevi, Chakreshvaridevi, Mahakalidevi, Saraswatidevi and of thefeet of Kalyansagasuri MaharajSaheb are installed there. The atmosphere of this impressivetemple is peaceful and beautiful.The idol of Sri Vir Prabhu is wonderful and beyond comparison,the sight of which anywhere else is impossible. The idol of Sri Parshwanath Prabhu ceremoniallyinstalled by Kevali Sri Kapil Muni is also beautiful and awe inspiring. The entire architecture of thetemple is superb.It is believed to be one of the oldest Jain temples in India, although they have been renovated and rehabilitated from time to time. The temple is said to be first renovated by King Sidhsen of Bhadrawati in 449 B.C. It is said a Jain layman named Devchandra laid the foundation stone of this temple centuries ago. In year 1125, the temple was renovated extensively by Jagdusha. The temples have been destroyed many times due to natural calamities like earthquakes and the chronicles of Mistris of Kutch, mention that they were the architects and artisans, who renovated temples during the earthquakes of 1819, 1844–45 and 1875.In former temple, the lower part was considered the oldest in age, perhaps about 1170. The temple complex was expanded with the corridors, then the outer wings, then the shrine, and last of all the porch. The temple complex was again completely devastated in earthquake of 26 January 2001, however, it has now been completely rebuilt to as many of the old shrines were destroyed to the extent that it could not be rehabilitated.