India is a real cultural melting pot with a rich spirituality and tradition. Jainism is one of the oldest religions to have its roots in this diverse country. As a result, a number of Jain temples were built all over the country. On the other hand, these Jain temples are much more than simple places of worship. They have an architecture that is simply unmatched anywhere on the planet. Ornate pillars, intricate ornaments, and sculpted ceilings exude an enchanting charm and reflect the majesty of bygone times. Many beautiful Jain temples are found all over India which shows the popularity of the religion. We have compiled a list of the greatest Jain temples in India to visit.
Here is the list and details of Jain temples in different parts of India:
1. Rajasthan
Rajasthan, like many other Indian states, has a large number of exquisite Jain temples. This makes it a popular pilgrimage destination for Jain pilgrims. The Jain Temple in Rajasthan is large and beautifully designed.
(i) Shri Mahavirji Jain Temple
The Shri Mahavirji Jain temple is located in the Karauli district of Rajasthan. The main god here is Mahavira Bhagavan, the last and 24th Jain Tirthankara. It has special significance for Jainists who follow the Digambar tradition as it was founded over 200 years ago. The original location of the mound is now covered with a marble umbrella adorned with images of the feet of the Lord.
The architecture of the temple is both impressive and welcoming. Surrounded by various Dharamshala, three pinnacles rise to the sky from the temple. The main temple has the original idol, which confers miracles on the faithful. In this temple, Bhagwan Mahavir was seated in the Padmasana posture. This is why it has become the most visited Jain temple in Rajasthan. Without a doubt, it is one of the most beautiful Jain temples in Rajasthan.
(ii) Jain temple of Ranakpur
Ranakpur Jain Temple is located in the heart of the Aravalli Mountains. The temple is a magnificent work of art and culture, and it is also a popular tourist destination in Rajasthan. The construction of this temple began in 1446 and was completed in 1496. The Jain temple of Ranakpur lasted fifty years and has a three-story marble structure. The temple building has four entrances and there are also four paintings of Adinath in the main hall of the temple.
The sculptures at Ranakpur Jain Temple are 72 inches high and are constructed of white marble. They are placed so that an image is seen from all angles. As a result, Chaturmukh Jain temple is another name for it. It is one of the most beautiful Jain temples in Rajasthan.
(iii) Temple of Dilwara
One of the most beautiful and architecturally significant Jain temples is Dilwara Temple. This temple attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims every day. Its most distinctive aspect is its magnificent architecture for the Jain temples of Mount Abu. Every aspect of this temple is distinct and unique, from the exquisite carvings on the marble stone to the high-quality craftsmanship of the artisans. The Jain temples of Mount Abu were surrounded by lush vegetation.
Visitors enjoy a wonderful connection to the Jain temples of Mount Abu with ultimate power as well as a feeling of serenity and tranquility. Each of the five Jain Teerthankaras has been honored in one of the five sections of this temple complex. In these sections, Lord Mahaveer Swami, Shri Adinathji, Shri Parshavnathji, Shri Rishabdaoji and Shri Neminathji were honored. The oldest of these temples is the Temple of Lord Adinathji, commonly referred to as Vimal Vasahi. The Jain temples of Mount Abu were built between the 11th and 13th centuries. The magnificent stone sculpture that adorns the pillars and marble ceilings is simply stunning.
(iv) Temple of Ajmer Jain
Soniji Ki Nasiyan Jain Ajmer Temple is a magnificent architectural gem. The Ajmer Jain Temple was built at the turn of the century. Many gold-plated wooden statues that were found in the main hall depict various Jain religious leaders, known as Swarna Nagari “Golden City”. In the golden chamber of this temple, a representation of Ayodhya was carved from 1000 kg of gold. It is one of the most beautiful Jain temples in Rajasthan.
(v) Jain Temple Jaisalmer
From ceilings to tombs to doorways, this Jain Jaisalmer temple has been adorned with mirrors, frescoes, sculptures, and more. The Jain Jaisalmer Temple was built in the 12th and 15th centuries and dedicated to a number of Jain Tirthankars (Hermits). On the walls of the temple, animal and human figures are carved as in the famous temple of Dilwara. The Gyan Bhandar, or library, of the Jain temple attracts a large number of visitors.
2. Bangalore
Bangalore is the capital of the state of Karnataka, also known as “Silicon Valley of India”. Despite its status as a future metropolis, it has a rich and distinguished cultural history. Ruled by the Cholas, Hoysalas, Mughals and the British. The city now contains over 1000 temples on its grounds due to the many religions and civilizations that have lived in the area over the years.
(i) Shri Adinath Digamber
The temple is located in the Jayanagar district of Bangalore. It has a golden tip and impeccable dome construction. The architecture is simple, but the details elevate it even more. Without a doubt, it is the most visited Jain temple in Bangalore.
(ii) Shri Shravanabelagola Tirth
Shri Shravanabelagola Tirth Temple is located in the Hassan district of Bangalore. It houses one of the tallest statues of Bhagwan Gomateshwar in India. If you don’t know, only one boulder was used to create this huge and haunting statue.
(iii) Shri Mahavir Digamber
This Bangalore Jain temple, located in Dewan’s Lane in the city’s Checkpet. It is built in 1878 and has a statue of Mahavir in the Kayotsarga position. This magnificent temple contains a guesthouse for pilgrims and its walls are wonderfully carved.
3. Gujarat
Thousands of Jain temples dot the Gujarat countryside, but it’s worth learning about the biggest and best known. The Jain temples of Gujarat are quite large and are spread throughout the state.
(i) Shree Girnar Tirth
The temple is well designed with beautiful wall carvings. It takes 9,500 steps to reach the temple to worship the idol of Lord Neminath which is said to be over 84,000 years old. The devotee was satisfied after five hours of climbing. Nearby are the Mallinath Temple, a 15th century Parshwanath temple, and the Golden Rishabh Dev Temple. It is one of the best Jain temples in Gujarat.
(ii) Songadh Tirtha
The Songadh Jain temple complex, located 22 kilometers from Palitana and 28 kilometers from Bhavnagar. Dedicated to a number of Tirthankaras and not as huge as Palitana’s, they are equally esteemed. Here you will find Digambar Jain Paramgam Temple, as well as Simandhar Swami Mandir, Swadhyay Mandir, Samavasaran Mandir, Mahavir Kund Digambar Temple, and Panchmeru Nandishwara Temple.
(iii) Hill of Taranga
The temple complex is located 80 kilometers north of Mehsana in Gujarat which contains temples of the Digambar and Shwetambar sects. There are approximately 14 Shwetambar Jain temples and five Digambar Jain temples. The most beautiful temple is that of Lord Ajitnath which was built in 1121 AD by Kumarpal of the Solanki dynasty.
4. Agra
Agra also has a wide range of Jain temples. The faithful often come to pray and have calm around their environment.
(i) Shouripur-Bateshwar Dham
The most important group of Digambar Jain temples in Agra are found at Shouripur-Bateshwar Dham, considered one of the holiest places in Jainism. If you don’t know, Bateshwar is known as Atishaya Kshetra and Shouripur is known as Siddha Kshetra. It is one of the most visited Jain temples in India.
(ii) Maths Baruva
Built on a pedestal, it is the oldest temple in Shouripur. Bhagwan Neminath, who sat in Khadagasana, is the main deity. The idol is made of a magnificent black stone and is said to have been created in Veer Nirvan Samvat 2480. With a stone spire atop the idol and a magnificent halo of carved stone behind it, it s’ grows to 8 feet tall. Two lions face each other on the base and between these two is an image of a conch shell.
