Friday 19 May 2017

Famous Jain Temples in India - Jainbyah.com



Famous Jain Temples and Pilgrimage in India


India is a land of many religions and Jain Dharma is one of them belonging to the śramaṇa tradition. The three main principles of Jainism are Ahimsa (non-violence), Anekantavada (non-absolutism), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness). There are many Jain temples and pilgrimage in India known for their marvellous architecture and stone carvings. Read on to know about most visited and beautiful Jain Temples and pilgrimage in India. Though there are lots more Jain temples and pilgrimage places all over the India these are the famous ones.

  •   Lal Mandir: Delhi


    Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is a beautiful and oldest Jain temple located opposite Red Fort in Old Delhi.  It is dedicated to 23rd Tirthankara, Parashvanath and houses the Birds Charity Hospital to give free treatment to the injured birds. The Digambar Jain Temple was built in 1656 by red sandstone that's why called Lal Mandir. The main prayer area of the temple is on the first floor. There are a number of shrines inside the temple but the main shrine is of Lord Mahavira the 24th and the last Tirthankara of the present era. One can also buy lots of books on Jainism from the bookstore in the complex. Visitors should take off their shoes and all other leather goods before entering the temple complex.
  • Dilwara Jain Temples: Mount Abu

    Beautiful Dilwara temples are famous for its extraordinary architecture and marvellous white marble stone carvings. These temples were built between 11th to 13th centuries AD by Vastupal-Tejpal, a Jain layman. 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. Temples remain open from 12 P.M. to 5 P.M. for tourists and photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple complex. One can see the marvellous minute carving detail spreading over ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels of the temple complex. 

  • Ranakpur Temple: Udaipur, Rajasthan

    Ranakpur Temples are from one of the five major pilgrimages (temples) of the Jains. This temple is famous for its detailed and superb architectural style. The temple is built by Seth Dharna Sah, a Jain businessman with the help of Rana Kumbha, ruler of Mewar in the 15th century. Ranakpur Temple is constructed in light coloured marble and more than 1400 beautifully carved pillars support it that change their colour from golden to pale blue after every hour during the day. Several other temples like Chaumukha temple (four faced temple), Parashvanath temple, Amba Mata Temple and Surya Temple are also located inside the temple complex.
  • Palitana Temple: Gujarat

     

    The temple is located on Shatrunjaya hill by the city of Palitana in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. It is considered as one of the holiest of all pilgrimage places by the Jain community. To reach the temple one has to climb through 3950 steps (3.5 km). Palitana Temples are constructed in two phases first from 11th to 12th centuries AD later from the 16th century AD onwards. There are 1000 of Jain temples scattered on the Shatrunjaya hills along with the main temple at the top of the hill. Jain community believes that every person has to visit Palitana once in a lifetime chance to achieve nirvana or salvation.
      
    •Gomateshwara Temple:Karnataka

    The monolithic statue of Gomateshwara stands on a hill in the city of Shravanabelagola. Gomateshwara was the second son of Lord Adinatha, the first of the 24 Tirthankara (enlightened human). The 17.38 meter (58 ft) high monolithic stone statue is regarded as one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. It was created around 983 AD by Chavundaraya, a minister of the Ganga Kingdom. Once in 12 years the Mahamastakabhisheka festival is held and the statue of Gomateshwara is bathed in milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins.

     •Sonagiri Temple: Madhya Pradesh

     

     

    It is a sacred place for Digambar Jains as Chandra Prabhu the 8th Tirthankara and many ascetic saints achieved Moksha from this site. 77 beautiful Jain temples of 9th & 10th century are located on Sonagiri Hills and twenty-six temples in the village about 60 km from Gwalior. The temple number fifty-seven is the main temple dedicated to Lord Chandraprabhu. The statue of Chandraprabhu of eleven feet height is constructed inside the temple. Two other beautiful idols of Lord Sheetalnath & Parsvnath are also installed in this temple. The Samavsharan of Bhagwan Chandraprabhu came here for 17 times.


    •Bawangaja Temple: Madhya Pradesh

     


    Bawangaja is a famous Jain temple in the Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh in India. It is famous for its world's tallest statue of the first Jain Tirthankara Adinatha standing in the posture of meditation. The height of the statue is 84 feet (26 m) and was created early in the 12th century. This beautiful statue is made by cutting rock of one single mountain only which makes it more unique and famous. On the left side of the Bhagwan Adinath statue, the four armed 'Gomukh Yaksha' & on the right side sixteen armed 'Yakshi Chakreshvary' idols are established.
     

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