India is a true cultural melting pot with 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 got built around the country. On the other hand, these Jain temples are much more than just places of worship. They have an architecture that is simply unmatched anywhere on the planet. The ornate pillars, intricate embellishments, and carved ceilings exude an enchanting charm and reflect the majesty of the bygone period. Many beautiful Jain temples are all over India, showing the religion’s popularity. We’ve compiled a list of India’s greatest Jain temples for you to visit.
Here’s the list & details of Jain Temples In different parts of India:
1. Rajasthan
Rajasthan, like many other Indian states, has a great number of exquisite Jain temples. This makes it a popular pilgrimage destination for Jain pilgrims. The Jain temple Rajasthan is vast and is beautifully crafted.
(i) Shri Mahavirji Jain Temple
The Shri Mahavirji Jain Temple is in the Karauli district of Rajasthan. The principal god here is Mahavira Bhagawan, the last and 24th Jain Tirthankara. It has special significance for Jainists who follow the Digambar tradition because it got founded more than 200 years ago. The mound’s original location has now got covered by a marble umbrella adorned with images of the Lord’s feet.
The architecture of the temple is both impressive and inviting. Surrounded by various Dharamshala, three pinnacles rise to the sky from the temple. The main temple has the original idol, which bestows miracles on worshipers. In this temple, Bhagwan Mahavir sat in Padmasana Posture. That is why it became the most visited Jain temple Rajasthan. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most beautiful Jain temples of Rajasthan.
(ii) Ranakpur Jain Temple
The Jain temple Ranakpur is in the heart of the Aravalli mountains. The temple is a magnificent work of art and culture, and it is a popular tourist destination in Rajasthan as well. This temple’s construction began in 1446 and got completed in 1496. The Jain temple Ranakpur took fifty years to construct and has a three-story marble structure. The construction of the temple has four entrances and there are four paintings of Adinath in the temple’s main room as well.
The Jain temple at Ranakpur sculptures are 72 inches tall and constructed of white marble. They’re placed in such a way that one image is seen from every angle. As a result, the Chaturmukh Jain temple is another name for it. It is one of the most beautiful Jain temple in Rajasthan.
(iii) Dilwara Temple
One of India’s most beautiful and architecturally significant Jain temples is Dilwara Temple. This temple attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims every day. Its most distinguishing aspect is its magnificent architecture for Jain temples in 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 craftsmen. The Jain temples Mount Abu got encircled by luxuriant greenery.
Visitors enjoy a wonderful connection to the Jain temples in Mount Abu with the Ultimate Power as well as a sensation of serenity and tranquillity. Each of the five Jain Teerthankaras got 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 got honored. The oldest of these temples is Lord Adinathji’s Temple, commonly known as Vimal Vasahi. The Jain temples in Mount Abu got constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries. The magnificent stone sculpture that adorns the marble pillars and ceilings is just stunning.
(iv) Ajmer Jain Temple
The Soniji Ki Nasiyan Jain temple Ajmer is a beautiful architectural gem. The Jain temple Ajmer is built around the turn of the century. Many gold-plated wooden statues that got found in the main room depict various Jain religious leaders, known as the Swarna Nagari “Golden City.” In the golden chamber of this temple, a depiction of Ayodhya got carved out of 1000 kg of gold. It is one of the most stunning Jain temples of Rajasthan.
(v) Jain Temple Jaisalmer
From the ceilings to the tombs to the doors, this Jain temple Jaisalmer got adorned with mirrors, frescoes, carvings, and so on. The Jain temple Jaisalmer was built during the 12th and 15th centuries and dedicated to a number of Jain Tirthankars (Hermits). On the temple walls, animal and human figures are carved just like in the famous Dilwara temple. The Gyan Bhandar, or library, of the Jain temple, attracts a large number of visitors.
2. Bangalore
Bangalore is the state capital of Karnataka that is also known as the “Silicon Valley of India.” Despite its status as a future metropolis, it has a rich and distinguished cultural history. Ruled by Cholas, Hoysalas, Mughals, and the British. The city now contains over 1000 temples on its grounds as a result of the numerous religions and civilizations that have lived in the area over the years.
(i) Shri Adinath Digamber
The temple lies in Bangalore’s Jayanagar neighborhood. It has a golden tip and flawless dome construction. The architecture is straightforward, but the details elevate it even more. Undoubtedly, it is the most visited Jain temple Bangalore.
(ii) Shri Shravanbelgola Tirth
Shri Shravanbelgola Tirth Temple is located in Bangalore’s Hassan district. It boasts one of India’s tallest statues of Bhagwan Gomateshwar. If you don’t know, a single rock got used to create this huge and mesmerizing statue.
(iii) Shri Mahavir Digamber
This Jain temple Bangalore, located in Checkpet’s Dewan’s Lane of the town. It is built-in 1878 and features a Mahavir statue in the Kayotsarga position. This beautiful temple contains a guest house 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 larger and more well-known ones. The Jain temples Gujarat is quite vast and are spread around the state.
(i) Shree Girnar Tirth
The temple is well-designed with beautiful wall sculptures. It takes 9500 steps to reach the temple to worship Lord Neminath’s idol that is said to be over 84000 years old. The devotee got satisfied after five hours of climbing. Nearby are the Mallinath temple, a 15th-century Parshwanath temple, and the Golden Rishabh Dev temple. This is one of the best Jain temples 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 are not as huge as those in Palitana, they are equally esteemed. Here you’ll find the Digambar Jain Paramgam temple, as well as Simandhar Swami Mandir, Swadhyay Mandir, Samavasaran Mandir, Mahavir Kund Digambar temple, and Panchmeru Nandishwara temple.
(iii) Taranga Hill
The temple complex is located 80 kilometers from the north of Mehsana in Gujarat that contains temples of both the Digambar and Shwetambar sects. There are around 14 Shwetambar Jain temples and five Digambar Jain temples. The most beautiful temple is that of Lord Ajitnath that is built-in 1121 AD by Kumarpal of the Solanki dynasty.
4. Agra
Agra has a wide range of Jain temples as well. The devotees often visit to pray and have calmness around their surroundings.
(i) Shouripur-Bateshwar Dham
The most significant group of Digambar Jain temples in Agra is seen in Shouripur-Bateshwar Dham that is regarded as one of the holiest locations 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 of India.
(ii) Baruva Math
Built on a pedestal, it is Shouripur’s oldest temple. Bhagwan Neminath, who got seated in Khadagasana, is the main Deity. The idol is fashioned of magnificent black stone and it is said to be created in Veer Nirvan Samvat 2480. With a stone spire atop the idol and a gorgeous carved stone halo behind it, it rises 8 feet tall. Two lions stand facing each other on the base and between these two is a Conch shell image.
