Ghantakarna Mahavira is one of the fifty-two viras (protector deities) of Svetambara Jainism.
He is chiefly associated with Tapa Gaccha, a monastic lineage. He was a deity of an esoteric Jain tantrik tradition. There is a shrine dedicated to him at the Mahudi Jain Temple established by Buddhisagar Suri, a Jain monk, in nineteenth century. It is one of the popular Jain pilgrimage centres of India
Ghantakarna Mahavira was a minor Jain deity from an esoteric Jain tradition and was worshiped and venerated by some specific monastic lineages and possibly some laymen. He is one of the fifty-two viras (protector deities) and is called Mahavira (Great vira)
Ghantakarna is invoked for protection from variety of obstacles and difficulties such as epidemics, diseases, fire, invasions, ghosts.
On Kali Chaudas (the fourteenth day of the dark half of the month of Aso), thousands of devotees visit the Mahudi temple to attend a religious ceremony, Havan
In past life, Ghantakarna was a king Tungabhadra or Mahabal from Shrinagar and had died fighting thieves to protect the innocents and pilgrims going to Shri Parvat. He reincarnated as Ghantakarna, the thirtieth among fifty-two Viras (protector deities).
Jai jai jai shree Ghantakaran mahavir dev
jainism in 21st century 