The Adinath Temple is situated on the top of Mainak Hill in Thakurtila village, Gorakghata Union under Maheshkhali Upazila (sub-district) and Cox’s Bazar District which has been important to Sanatan religion follower. The temple owes it’s significance in the Hindu tradition not only for its historical culture but also because of Mahadev who is often lauded as Adinath. Originally, it was named after Mahesh or Adinath and later came to be called Maishkhali. The temple is located at 280 feet above sea level and creates a peaceful atmosphere for both worshippers and visitors. There is also a Rakhine Buddhist temple and mosque in the temple complex which embodies mutual co-existence. The temple organises a fair for 10–15 days during the month of Falgun with February at Shiva Chaturdashi that is visited by thousands, every year.
Adinath Temple Historical and Mythological Importance
The adinath foundation has it roots 1000s of year back to Treta Yug. The very origins can be found in the historic and also mythological accounts that feature Ramayana along with other Puranas of Hindu scriptures. In Treta Yuga, Ravana the king of Lanka took protection in Lord Mahadev (Another name of Adinath) to gain immortality and fought against lord Ram. Ravana’s Abhishek pleased Mahadev who decided to grant Ravana the boon with an impossible challenge — he placed a Shiv Linga in front of him and told him that if he could carry this Shivling upright upon his shoulders from Kailash all way down to Lanka but holding it before reaching its destination then Lanka would be invincible. If this condition was not followed by Ravana then Mahadev would reside in the place wherever Lingam placed up and his desire might not be fulfilled.
During his travel to Lanka, Ravana stopped at Mainak Hill (now Maheshkhali) because the nature called him. Consequently, Ravana then tried to lift the Lingam again but this time he failed. So Mahadev took his abode on the Mainak Peak and that is also where the temple of MahaDev, as we know it today stands.
Local Folklore and Discovery of the Adinath Temple
The place was discovered through a legend on how the temple was found and its importance which I learned from Noor Mohammad Shikdar who is our local Muslim bloke residing there. Will the folklore says that noor mohammad found out his cow had stop giving milk. Having grown a bit suspicious of his herdsman, he made plans to veld the cow at night. The cow left the shed and stopped on a black stone where, then milk would flow from its udder onto that. The cow would then return to the cowshedanna Noor Mohammad dismissed the reports when they were related to him by the herdsman. Following this, Mohammad transported the cow to Bara Maheshkhali and milk production of that particular cattle was halted. Noor Mohammad then narrated a dream he had that said to build a temple and let all Hindu landlords know about it. So he made a temple there, just like the way god asked. There is a historical instance of the Adinath temple as it was founded by a Muslim bhakt, revealed head priest.
The Temple Of Goddess Durga
The Pandavas next constructed the Ashtabhuja Temple on Mainak Hill, it forms alongwith Adinath temple. It is said that he got an order from the god to bring Ashtabhuja’s idol of Nepal and kept it there. A monk called Naga Sannyasi tried to steal away the idol from Nepal’s state temple in 1612, but had been arrested and imprisoned. The night prior to his trial, he met with Mahadev in which the latter blessed him and told that when questioned by judge for anything then say it. In the trial, a judge questioned Nepal King regarding idol color? If the king called it black, then the monk would say white. As it turned out, the idol was white and henceforth’,the monk won. Curious, the King asked for everything that had happened be detailed out to him by that saint. Eventually, the King established an idol of Ashtabhuja in a sacred temple near to adinath jain Mandir at mainak hill. The temple committee said that the Government of Nepal donates to Shiv temple once in a while.
How to Reach Adinath Temple
You will need to go Kasturi Ghat or Jetty No. 6 from Cox’s Bazar first, if you want to travel by ship to the Adinath Temple From any part of Coxsbazar, you can auto-rickshaw or CNG to the ghat. Speedboats are available from these jetty no 6 (Kasturi Ghat) to Maheskhali at a cost of taka 80 per person. The ride is about 20-25 minutes. Otherwise, you may also get on a flat boat or rent speedboat for privacy. If you want to know more details of how it is like traveling in Maheshkhali check out our complete travel guide on Maheshkhali.
Where to Eat in Maheshkhali
Many restaurants have emerged recently in Maheshkhali where you can try different local foods. However, You better verify the prices before ordering to not get a surprise.
Accommodation Options
Real time : No safe overnight accommodation option for a tourist yet in Maheshkhali so it is better to come back at Cox’s or other utility accommodations. For detailed advice on where to stay and dine in Cox’s Bazar, have a look at our Cox’s Bazar Travel Guide.
Many More Attractions in Maheshkhali
It is also home to a few Buddhist monasteries and boasts Rakhine villages, the Golden Temple (Buddha Dhatu Jadi), salt fields, betel nut plantations and Charpara Beach. Moving around the hilly island makes a large sense of wonder.