Celebrate Mahavir Jayanti with these scenic and monumental Jain temples in India

Followers of Jainism are known for their dedicated worship of their god. and you will find their temples called ‘Jain Derasar’ in almost every corner of India. The most amazing part about these temples is they are more than just worship places. They are stunned by beautiful designs, intricate patterns and noteworthy architecture. But this is not it, many of them are located in beautiful locations that are worth visiting even if you do not follow the religion. Here is a list of such picturesque Jain temples across India 

1. Dilwara Temple, Mount Abu, Rajasthan

When you talk about architectural miracles, Dilwara Jain Temple in Mount Abu of Rajasthan is much talked about. This place is a treat for people who love the intricacies of monuments. Built by Vastupal Tejpal and designed by Vimal Shah between the 11th and 13th centuries, this temple has beautifully carved artwork with a 1000-year-old scripture having 170 small scriptures around 1 large scripture of Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami.

2. Shikharji Temple, Parasnath Hill, Jharkhand

One of the holiest temples in Jainism, Shikharji is situated on the Parasnath Hill in Jharkhand. Also known as Sammed or Sammet Shikharji, this temple is atop a hill that offers a scenic view aligned with holy vibes. The temple has 20 out of 24 Jain Tirthankaras (religious preachers of Jainism). It is believed to have been constructed by Vastupala, a Prime Minister during the reign of King Vīradhavala and Vīsaladeva of the Vaghela dynasty around the 13th Century.

3. Girnar Jain Temple, Junagadh, Gujarat

This temple dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara Neminatha is truly a blissful gateway and a place of worship in Junagadh of Gujarat. You will be able to witness the beauty of Girnar Hills when you walk 10,000 steps or cable cart, 3200 feet above sea level. Some idols in this temple are as old as 84,000 years old as claimed by some people. 

4. Pawapuri, Bihar 

This temple is situated in the town of Pawapuri, known as the 'town without sins,' and is called the Jal Mandir or the Water Temple. It is constructed within a tank filled with red-colored lotus flowers. The temple houses an idol of Lord Mahaveera, the 24th Tirthankara, and his 'Charan Paduka' or foot impression is revered here. It is said that he attained moksha (salvation) in Pawapuri in 528 BC, and this temple was built by his elder brother, King Nandivardhan.

5. Champapuri, Bhagalpur, Bihar 

This is one of only five Panch Kalyanaka Kshetras (traditional Jain ceremony sites) in the world in the Jain religion. Dedicated to the 12th Tirthankar Bhagwan Vasupoojya, this temple was built around 2500 years ago. The temple was constructed in this area because Champapur is one of the 52 Janapadas (regions where people live together) created by Lord Adinath and offers a sight of intricately carved architecture with various altars, spires, and columns of fame.

6. Ranakpur Jain Temple, Ranakpur, Rajasthan

Darna Shah, a local Jain businessman, built a temple dedicated to Adinath, the first Tirthankara in Jainism, in Ranakpur, Rajasthan. The shrine features numerous beautiful and delicately carved sculptures, adding to its marvel amidst the backdrop of hills. This temple was collectively envisioned by Acharya Somasundatsuri Dharanashah, the Minister to Kumbha Rana, Rana Kumbha himself, and Depa, the architect who made the realization of the dream possible along with Shah.

7. Palitana Temples, Bhavnagar, Gujarat

This place in Bhavnagar, Gujarat is one of the holiest places for Jain people. There are hundreds of temples at this sacred spot on Shatrunjaya hill, which is revered by Jains. On the slopes are about 863 temples with carvings made of marble. There are 3500 steps leading up to the main temple that honours the first Tirthankara, Rishabha. and it is stated that the hill was sanctified by the visits of 23 Tirthankaras, except  Neminatha, a freed soul who has destroyed all of its karma. 

8. Ashtapad, Kailash

Ashtapad is one of the most prominent shrines of Jainism. It is believed to be the place where the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabadeva, attained Salvation, after which his son, popularly known as Chakravarti King Bharat, built a palace of crystals and gemstones intending to treat it as a memorial to his father's nirvana. The word ‘Ashtapad’ means eight steps and this temple is located at an altitude of 4900m near Mount Kailash in Tibet. So you can imagine the mind-chilling view of the Himalayas while walking towards the temple. 

9. Dharmanath Temple, Kerala

The historic ward Mattancherry in Kochi of Kerala houses yet another Jain temple. The Dharmanath temple is dedicated to Shri Dharmanath, the 15th Jain Tirthankara. Built-in 1960, the temple complex is sprawled over a large area with various blocks constructed for prayers and as places for offerings. The architecture of the temple is inspired by the Jain temples of Gujarat.

10. Parshvanatha Jain Temple, Uttar Pradesh

The Parshvanatha Jain Temple in the revered city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is dedicated to Lord Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism. He was once the King of Benaras but left his throne in order to attain salvation and walk on the path of god. The temple was built in the city of light to commemorate him."

11. Saavira Kambada Basadi, Karnataka

Saavira Kambada Basadi or the Chandranatha Temple was built in honour of Chandranatha, the 8th Tirthankara of Jainism. The temple was built in the 15th century by local ruler Devaraya Wadiyar. The word Saavira Kambada Basadi literally translates to Thousand Pillars temple meaning this religious shrine has 1000 pillars. And the most unique part about these pillars is that no two pillars are identical.  

12. Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, Delhi

Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, also known as Lal Mandir, is dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanath and is the oldest Jain temple in Delhi. A Manastambha pillar stands in front of the temple. In 1931, the temple was visited by Jain monk Acharya Shantisagar, known as the first Digambar Jain priest to visit Delhi after a period of 8 centuries. To commemorate this auspicious event, a memorial was established within the temple.