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India is a place of rich diversity and amazing culture and it houses several worship destinations for all the people from different religions. Among various religions followed by Indians, Jainism is also one of them. It is an ancient religious faith of the country that teaches the way of freedom and bliss while living a life of harmlessness and sacredness. To celebrate this pious religion of India, many Jain temples have been built across the country. Some of these temples are really astounding and stunning that they will definitely leave you breathless. There are many Jain temples in India, where travelers can head to and admire the majestic architecture. It gives you an insight into the religion and also boasts of scenic views. Here is a guide to some of the famous Jain Temples in India
Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajasthan
Ranakpur Jain Temple
Source-:Hardikmodi/wiki
Situated in the Pali district of Rajasthan, Ranakpur is positioned between two beautiful cities of Rajasthan- Jodhpur, and Udaipur. Ranakpur Temples are from one of the five major pilgrimages of the Jains. Ranakpur is named after Rana Kumbha whom Dharna Sah, a Jain businessman approached when he had got the vision of his great temple to ask for the land for its construction. The elaborate Ranakpur Temple was built in the 14th and 15th centuries in the Aravali Ranges. It arises from the hill in three levels, which are supported by no less than 1,444 carved marble pillars, they change their color from golden to pale blue after every hour during the day. All the detailed carvings in this beautiful temple are unique, including one single marble rock that has the heads of 108 snakes and a tangle of tails. The construction of the temple and quadrupled image symbolize the Tirthankara’s conquest of the four cardinal directions and hence the cosmos. The vast temple complex comprises Chaumukha Temple, Parsavnath Temple, Amba Mata Temple and Surya Temple. The marble Jain temple of Ranakpur is famous as the most spectacular Jain temple in India and major pilgrimage of the Jains and counted as one of the most visited religious places across the country. This temple is supposed to be an awesome example of devotion and craftsmanship and is surely worth paying a visit.
Sonagiri Temples, Madhya Pradesh
Sonagiri Temples
Source-:Andrea Kirkby/flickr
Sonagiri is a sacred place for Digambar Jains as Chandra Prabhu the 8th Tirthankar and many ascetic saints achieved Moksha from this site. Sonagiri which literally means, “The Golden Peak” is located on the hill in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh since the 9th and 10th century. The temple number fifty-seven on the hill is the main temple. This temple has an attractive artistic spire. In this temple, the principal deity is Lord Chandraprabhu, 11 feet in height. Two other beautiful idols of Lord Sheetalnath and Parsavnath are installed in this temple. There are 77 beautiful Jain temples are located in the hills and 26 temples are in the Sonagiri village. Both pilgrims and tourists are required to climb the 300 steps to the top bare-footed. Once at the top, travelers can marvel at the view of countless white temples and chhatris whichever way you look. This sacred place is popular among devotees and ascetic saints to practice for self-discipline, austerity and to attain Nirvana (salvation).
Palitana, Gujarat
Palitana
Source-:Nirajdharamshi/wiki
One of the most sacred Jain temple complexes, Palitana, has over 3000 brilliantly carved temples located in the Shatrunjaya Hills in the Gujarat District of Bhavnagar. The most revered temple, however, is the one dedicated to Lord Rishabhdev or the Adinath, which has ornate architectural motifs. Palitana Temples are constructed in two phases first from 11th to 12th century AD later from the 16th century onwards. Other notable temples are those of Kumarpal, Vimalshah, and Sampriti Raja. Kumarpal Solanki, a great Jain patron, probably built the earliest temple. The temple has a fabulous collection of jewels, and these can be seen with special permission. The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions of Gujarat visited by foreign tourists. The Jain community believes that every person has to visit Palitana once in a lifetime chance to achieve nirvana or salvation.
Dilwara Temples, Rajasthan
Dilwara Temples
Source-:Malaiya/wiki
Dilwara Jain Temple is one of the most beautiful pilgrimage site of the Jains in India and most famous in the world for its unique architecture. This temple is situated at the only hill station of Rajasthan- Mount Abu. These temples were built between 11th to 13th century AD by Vastupal- Tejpal, a Jain layman, under the Chalukya Dynasty. Dilwara Temples of Rajasthan are popular for their beautiful artistic work. The ornamental detail spreading over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars, and panels is simply amazing, some archaeology experts also consider it architecturally superior to the Taj Mahal. It seems very much fairly basic temples from outside but every cloud has a silver lining. The interior showcases the extraordinary work of human craftsmanship at its best. Dilwara Temple complex consist of five major temples devoted to Five Jain saints namely- ‘Shri Mahaveer Swami Temple’, ‘Shri Adinath Temple’ or Vimal Vasahi Temple, ‘Shri Nemi Nathji Temple’ or Luna Vasahi Temple, ‘Shri Parshavnath Temple’ or Khartar Vasahi Temple and ‘Shri Rishabh Deoji Temple’ or Peethala Temple. The marble temples have an opulent entranceway, the simplicity in architecture reflecting Jain values like honesty and frugality. Temples remains open from 12 PM to 5 PM for tourists, and photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple complex.
Gomateshwara Jain Temple, Karnataka
Gomateshwara Jain Temple
Source-:Abhishek Jain/wiki
Located in the town of Shravanabelagola in Karnataka, the Jain Temple has a massive black granite statue of Gomateshwara, the first Tirthankara, which stands 18 meters tall. The 58ft high monolithic stone statue is regarded as one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. It was created around 983 AD (Chavundaraya, a minister of the Ganga Kingdom) and is described as one of the mightiest achievements of ancient Karnataka in the realm of sculptural art. Also referred to as Lord Bahubali, the image is nude stands upright in the posture of meditation known as ‘Kayotsarga’. Gomateshwara was the 2nd amongst the 100 sons of Lord Rishabhdev, the first Jain Teerthankar or Saint; and he considered to have attained salvation. For centuries, the temple has been one of the greatest pilgrimages amongst pilgrim and tourists, especially for an event known as the Mahamastakabhishekha, which occurs once in 12 years. The statue is showered with milk and saffron paste and paste of turmeric, sandalwood and vermillion are applied. This is a must visit pilgrimage site for the Jain pilgrims and popular tourist attraction for all.
Parshwanath Temple, Kolkata
Parshwanath Temple,
Source-:flowcomm/flickr
This gorgeous temple is located in Kolkata and is popularly called as Calcutta Jain Temple and it is a major attraction in Kolkata not for the people following Jainism but for the tourist as well. This temple has a large complex, which is divided into 4 temples including the Shitalnath Ji Temple, the Mahavir Swami Temple, the Chandraprabhu Temple and the Dadwadi. The interior of this temple is decorated beautifully with mirrors, glasses, and chandeliers, which add to the beauty of the ceiling and the floral design on the floors makes the floor look really attractive. Other prominent attraction of the temple is the diamond studded forehead of the deity of Lord Shitalnath Ji and the lamp, which feeds on pure ghee and has never gone out. This astonishing temple is dedicated to 23rd Jain Thirthankar, i.e Parsavanath. Moreover, the temple has a gorgeous garden surrounding it and a small stream beside, which makes the setting of the temple amazing.
Lal Mandir, Delhi
Lal Mandir
Source-:carol mitchell/flickr
The Digambar Jain Temple is located close to the Red Fort near Chandni Chowk of Delhi and is the oldest Jain Temple in the region. Built out of beautiful red sandstone in the year 1656, this famous Jain shrine is also known as Red Temple and Lal Mandir. It is dedicated to 23rd Tirthankara, Parsavanath and houses the Birds Charity Hospital to give free treatment to the injured birds. The main prayer area of the temple is on the 1st floor. The main presiding deity of the temple is Lord Mahavira who was the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism. Present in the temple are the idols of Lord Adinath and that of Lord Parsawanath. For those interested in learning more about Jainism, there is a bookstall that sells books related to Jainism literature. The temple boasts of beautiful architecture with ornate carvings and beautiful paintings. An extremely peaceful holy place, it attracts many devotees towards it. Visitors should take off their shoes and all other leather goods before entering the temple complex.
Bawangaja, Madhya Pradesh
Bawangaja,
Source-:Rajyadavbijapur999/wiki
The Bawangaja Jain temple is famous Jain pilgrimage center in the Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh. It is known for the tallest megalithic statue of the first Jain Tirthankara Adinatha standing in the posture of meditation. The 84 feet statue is one of the 12 tallest statues in India and the area is nested in the Satpura ranges. This beautiful statue is made by cutting rock of one single mountain only, which makes it more unique and famous. This statue was created early in the 12th century and the idol stands on a base of the mountain just like the Gomateshwara statue of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka. On the left side of the Bhagwan Adinath statue, the four armed ‘Gomukh Yaksha’ and on the right side 16 armed ‘Yakshi Chakreshvary’ idols are established.
Shikharji Jain Temple, Jharkhand
Shikharji Jain Temple
Source-:CaptVijay/wiki
The Shikharji Temple are located on the Parasnath Hill in Giridih district of Jharkhand at the height of 4429 feet in the middle of barren and agricultural plains od Chakri in Jharkhand. Shikharji is the highest mountain hill in the state and the temples are one of the most sacred places for Jains as 20 to 24 Tirthankaras attained moksha here and some other saints as well, that’s why it is also called as Teerthraj or king of Teerths. The Jain temple of Shikharji is dedicated to Shri Digambar Jains. The main and the most important of all the temples is the temple of Shikharji, which do not have the old construction but the idol is ancient. The idol stands erectly on the top of the mountain portraying the symbol of supremacy and overlooking the dramatic landscape of the surroundings. One can also go for parikrama of 54km of the entire Parasnath Hill through the forest by walking only. On the walls of the Jain temple at the village of Madhuban a mural painting depicting all the temples on Parsavnath Hill displayed. This region is a must visit for all the history buffs and spiritual people as well.
Khajuraho Jain Temple, Madhya Pradesh
Khajuraho Jain Temple,
Source-:fabulousfabs/flickr
The amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site has been popular for its erotic statues that embellish most of its temples. However, the town also has a number of Jain temples, which were built more than thousands years ago. Altogether there are approximately 34 Jain Temples in total. The Jain temples are located in the eastern section of the town and are a good example of medieval Indian architecture. As in the sense from the architectural point of view the Parsavnath, the Adinath and the Shantinath temples are relatively more important and noteworthy. Shri 1008 Lord Shantinath temple is the main temple with 4ft high colossus in the standing posture, the highest idol of all idols (deity images) of Khajuraho. The another Jain Temple Adinath is also an important temple belonging to the Jain temple in Khajuraho. It was dedicated to Saint Adinath. The temple is decorated by a single-towered shikhara, which increases the beauty of the shrine. The walls of the temple have beautiful carvings depicting images and postures of court musicians. The wall also depicts a close view of the dance style of Nilanjana, a famed dancer in the court of Adinath. Several figures of various categories of women like Nayikas, Kaminis, and Brahmins are carved on the walls. Such exquisite carvings on the walls attract tourists even today to the splendid craftsmanship of the workers of the era. These temples are unique examples of religious harmony and spirit of accommodation. While Khajuraho is a small town, it has many different temple sites to see and all are very well maintained, so it is worthwhile taking a few days to explore them properly.
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