Jain Temples

India is a land of many cultures and the diversity is well-reflected in the religions. Jainism is one such religion in India that originated more than 2000 years back. It is based on three main principles namely non-violence (ahimsa), many-sided reality (anekantavada) and non-attachment (aparigraha). India has countless number of Jain temples known for its unique architecture and marvelous marble stone carvings. Some of the famous Jain temples are Shikharji in Jharkhand, Lal mandir in Delhi, Sonagiri temple in Madhya Pradesh, Dilwara temple in Mount Abu, Bahubali temple in Karnataka and Jain temples of Khajuraho. If you are a lover of art these Jain temples will surely leave you mesmerised with their beauty, serenity and marvellous architecture. Here is a list of top seven temples of India that are truly worth visiting.

1. Gomateshwara (Bahubali) Temple
   Situated at Shravanabelagola in Hassan (Karnataka), Gomateshwara temple also known as Bahubali) is home to the largest monolithic statues in the world. The gigantic monolithic statue of Bahubali is 57-feet tall and 26 feet wide carved from a single piece of rock. It was built in the 10th century by Chamundaraya - general of the King Rajamalla of the Ganga dynasty. The holy temple enshrines the black stone statue of Bahubali the first Tirthankara (Jain deity). In every 12 years a Mahamastakabhisheka festival takes place in which the statue is bathed with milk, saffron paste, sandalwood, turmeric and vermilion. Thousands of devotees and tourists from all over the world flock to this temple to attend the extravagant ritual. The anointing last took place in February 2018 and the next ceremony is going to take place in 2030.

   

   How to reach
   The temple is well connected to Bengaluru and Mysore. If you are travelling by air, the nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru that is located 167 km away from the temple. From there you can hire a cab that will take you directly to Gomateshwara temple. Bengaluru City Jn (SBC) is the nearest railway station that is 142 km from the temple. You can take a taxi from the station to reach here directly. Here is a list of trains between New Delhi to Bengaluru City. You can also travel by road from other major cities of Karnataka like Mysore.

2. Dilwara Temple
   Located around 3 km away from the Mount Abu hill station Dilwara Jain temple is one of the finest Jain temples in India known for its extraordinary architecture and marvellous marble stone carvings. Situated in the lush green Aravalli hills the temple was built by Vimal Shah between the 11th and 13th century. This temple is renowned for its extraordinary architecture and opulent use of marble stone carvings. The marble temples are considered as the most beautiful Jain pilgrimage sites in the world. With its simplicity and austerity, Dilwara temple tells you about Jain values and principles.

   

   How to reach
   If you wish to visit the temple by air then the nearest airport is Udaipur that is situated 178 kilometres away from the temple. After that hire a taxi or cab that can take you to Dilwara temple. However if you want to reach via rail then the nearest railway station is Abu Road (ABR) approx 29 kilometres away from the temple. Here is a list of trains between New Delhi to Abu Road. The temple is just 2.5 km from Mount Abu. You can either take a cab from Abu Road railways station or from Udaipur to reach here via road.

3. Ranakpur Temple
   The Ranakpur Jain Temple lies in the Aravalli hills, over an area of 4,500 square yards and consisting of 29 halls. It is an important Jain pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Adinatha. The Ranakpur Temple is distinguished all across the globe for its brilliant architecture. The temple rises from the ground on 1,444 marble pillars which are about three storeys high. It is dedicated to the first Tirthankar of Jainism and is designed as 'chaumukha'. It is believed that the columns of this temple change colour from golden to pale blue every hour. Also no two columns of this temple have similar designs. The brilliant marble architecture of the temple should be visited at least once in lifetime.

   

   How to reach
   Located on the Girnar Hill near Sadri Town in the Pali district of Rajasthan, the best way to reach this temple is from Udaipur which is well-connected by rail, road and air. The nearest airport to get to Ranakpur is at Maharana Pratap Airport Udaipur that is located approximately 107 km away from the temple. You can hire a cab from the airport that can take you straight to the temple. The nearest railway station to Ranakpur Temple is Falna (FA) that is 37 km from the temple. Here is a list of trains between New Delhi to Falna. After that hire a taxi that can take you to the Ranakpur temple.

4. Shikharji Temple
   Located on Parasnath range in Giridih district of Jharkhand, it is one of holiest pilgrimages of Jain community. It is believed that 20 of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras attained Nirvana here. It is located at a height of 4,429 feet covering a wide area of total 200 square kilometers. While the sacred place dates back to the 18th century, till date Jain devotees visit here with full devotion. For this reason followers of Jainism go for a parikrama on palanquin or by foot to cover a distance of 54 km. The mountain summit of Parasnath range is the most sacred to Jains.

   

   How to reach
   You can reach Shikharji by rail or air. The nearest airport to get to the Shikharji Temple is Ranchi Airport that is located 153 km away from the temple. The closest railway station is Parasnath (PNME) – just 16 km away from Madhuban the base of Shikharji. From there you need to cover the rest of the distance (approx 54 km) by foot or palanquin in order to go to the temples. Train no. 12302 New Delhi Howrah Rajdhani Express (Via Gaya) runs between New Delhi and Parasnath. .

5. Lal Mandir
   The oldest Jain temple in Delhi, Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is situated in Chandni Chowk, the heart of Old Delhi. It was built in 1656 and is popularly known as the Lal Mandir or the ‘Red Temple’ because it is built out of red sandstone. The temple is dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankara Lord Parshvanath. Currently it houses a Birds Charity Hospital. Paryushan, Samvatsari, Jnaan Panchami and Deepawali are the major festivals celebrated at the temple. The temple follows the simple yet awe-inspiring architecture with glided roofs, intricate carvings and artwork.

   

   How to reach
   To get here Indira Gandhi International Airport is the nearest air terminal situated 25 km away from the temple. The closest railway station to Lal Mandir is the Old Delhi (DLI) railway station that is just 3 km away from the temple. Here is a list of trains that run between Mumbai CSTM and Old Delhi. You can take a taxi from the station to reach the temple.

6. Palitana Temple
   The Palitana group of temples consists of a whopping 3000 ornately carved temples within its complex. It is located on the Shatrunjaya hill near Palitana in Bhavnagar (Gujarat) and is a great tourist attraction in the state. The Palitana group of temples are built over 900 years from the 11th century onwards. You need to climb 3,750 stone steps to get to the temples. The temple cluster is believed to be the residence of the divine therefore nobody is allowed to stay overnight not even the priests. The temples are dedicated to the Svetambara Jains. The main deity of the shrine is the first Tirthankara, Rishabanath. Pilgrims from all over the world visit Palitana to take blessings.

   

   How to reach
   The nearest airport is Bhavnagar Airport in Gujarat that is 62 km from the Palitana group of temples. From the airport you can take a taxi that can take you straight to the temple. If you are travelling by train then Bhavnagar (BVC) railway station is the best way to reach Palitana. Train no. 19580 Delhi Sarai Rohilla Rajkot Weekly Express runs between Delhi Sarai Rohilla and Rajkot. You can hire a cab from the railway station to reach the place directly.

7. Sonagiri Temple
   A sacred temple of the Digambar Jains is a pilgrimage center with 103 temples from the 9th and 10th century. Literally meaning the ‘Golden Peak’ in the local language, the temple is situated in Madhya Pradesh on the summit of the majestic Mount Shatrunjaya. Lord Chandraprabhu is the main deity of the temple with an 11 ft high idol. It is also believed to be a place of atonement where crores of saints have attained Nirvana. It is a popular place of penance and it is believed that about five and a half crores of saints have attained Nirvana here. As per the Jain philosophy it is a place where 'Samavsharan' of eighth Tirthankara Chandraprabhu had arrived.

   

   How to reach
   Sonagiri is closely connected to the Gwalior airport only 83 kms away from the temple. One can also reach via rail. The closest railway station to the Sonagiri temple is the Sonagir (SOR) railway station located 381 km away from the temple. One such train that runs between New Delhi and Sonagir is train no. 11058 Pathankot Express. From the station you can hire a taxi that can take you to the temple. You can also reach Sonagiri by road from Jhansi.

   

   Jain Trivia
   Jains are divided into two sects - Digambara (meaning sky clad) sect and the Svetambara (meaning white clad) sect. The word “ambar” is derived from sanskrit that refers to a covering like a garment. Digambara means "sky-clad" that refers to the traditional monastic practice of neither possessing nor wearing any clothes. While Svetambara means seamless clothes. Digambar Jain monks do not wear clothes because they believe clothes are like other possessions increasing dependency and desire for material things that ultimately leads to sorrow. Svetambar Jain monks wear white seamless clothes for practical reasons and believe there is nothing in Jain scripture that condemns wearing clothes. Sadhvis (nuns) of both sects wear white.

I am sure now you have a list of a handful of Jain temples to visit across the nation. Tell us in the comments below about the place where you are planning to go first? Plan a trip to any of these temples and book your tickets through Trainman app. Download the Trainman App to check PNR Status of your booked ticket, Train inquiry, Seat Availability in any train and many such exciting features.