A remarkable diversity of cultures, faiths, and traditions can be found throughout India. Jainism is one of the many faiths that Indians practise. The nation’s traditional religion preaches living a life of sanctity and harmlessness while learning the path to freedom and happiness.
Throughout the nation, numerous Jain temples have been constructed to honour this pious religion of India. These locations are revered for their architecture in addition to their religious significance. Numerous Jain sites can be found throughout the nation in a variety of locations.
Discovering the 12 Most Renowned Jain Pilgrimage Sites in India:
The following list includes some of India’s well-known Jain sites and temples that every traveller should see.
1. Dilwara Jain Temple, Rajasthan
The stunning Dilwara Jain Temple is a shrine for Jainists, and it is located on Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan. The temple has become one of India’s most impressive Jain pilgrimage places thanks to its unique and distinctive structure, which is known worldwide.
It is thought that this intricately carved Dilwara Temple was built in the 12th century. Visitors to this pilgrimage destination are drawn in by the impressive and detailed sculptures on the interior walls of the building. 360 mini Jain Tirthankara statues can be found in its hall. Read More: Exploring the Magnificent Dilwara Jain Temples: Mount Abu’s Hidden Gem.
2. Khajuraho Temples (Shantinath), Madhya Pradesh
The erotic statues that adorn the majority of the temples at this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site have gained popularity. The town does, however, also have a number of Jain temples that date back more than a thousand years.
These Jain temples in the eastern section of the town are excellent examples of mediaeval Indian architecture. The most well-known of these Jain temples is Shantinath Temple. One of the seven Jain temples constructed inside the Golden Fort in the sixteenth century is called Shantinath.
3. Shatrunjaya Hill, Gujarat
In the Indian state of Gujarat, Palitana is home to the Shatrunjaya Hill, also known as Satrunjaya or Shatrunjaya, a hilltop temple complex. The complex, situated on a hill, is made up of more than 900 Jain temples dispersed over a wide area.
In order to circumambulate the hill or parikrama, pilgrims frequently trek around its base while stopping at numerous temples along the way. The parikrama is performed as a symbol of respect and is frequently carried out barefoot or in wooden shoes.
4. Sammed Shikharji, Jharkhand
Sammed Shikharji is a mountain peak in the Parasnath Hills of Jharkhand, India. It is also referred to as Sammet Shikhar or Sambhavanatha Hill. Numerous Jain pilgrims visit it annually, and it is one of the most revered Jain pilgrimage sites in India.
The peak is the tallest mountain in the state of Jharkhand, rising to a height of 4429 feet. It may be found in the Giridih district, which is well-known for its Jain temples and sacred places. According to Jain tradition, the mountain is where 20 of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras gained nirvana.
5. Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh
It is a significant Jain pilgrimage place home to numerous historic Jain temples. The shrine of Adinatha, which honours Rishabhanatha, the first Jain Tirthankara, is the most important in Deogarh. Red sandstone was used to construct the temple, renowned for its beautiful carvings and sculptures.
Other temples in Deogarh include the Temple of Parshvanatha, the Temple of Shantinatha, and the Temple of Neminatha, in addition to the Temple of Adinatha. One of the best collections of Jain architecture in India is thought to be represented by these temples.
6. Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
In addition to being a significant Jain pilgrimage destination, Shravanabelagola is also home to the historic Gommateshwara Bahubali temple. The Gommateshwara statue, situated atop the town’s Indragiri hill, is the source of the town’s name.
Numerous Jain institutions and libraries are located in Shravanabelagola, an influential Jain culture and scholarship hub. When the Gommateshwara statue is ritually anointed, which takes place once every 12 years during the Mahamastakabhisheka festival, it becomes exceptionally well-liked.
7. Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajasthan
The Ranakpur Temple dates to the fifteenth century, is an important Jain pilgrimage site and is frequently hailed as a global architectural landmark. It takes place in the village of Ranakpur, 95 miles north of Udaipur. With the assistance of the Mewar monarch, a well-known trader of the era named Dharna Shah constructed the temple.
Jain scriptures that have been expertly etched can be found everywhere. When choosing the “7 Wonders of the World”, the ancient Ranakpur Temple was ranked among the top 77 wonders. The temple is undoubtedly a gem that shines throughout the regal state of Rajasthan.
8. Kulpakji Temple, Telangana
A well-known Jain pilgrimage site that dates back to the 10th century, Kulpakji Temple is located in the Telangana village of Kolanupaka. Under the support of the Kakatiya Dynasty, this area was a well-known Jain centre. Lord Adinath, the primary Tirthankara of Jainism, is the subject of this shrine.
Eight more Tirthankara idols can be found on either side of the temples. Lord Mahaveer’s main sculpture is huge and constructed of rare stone jade. The temple, which is about 2000 years old, has ancient inscriptions. The Kulpakji Temple exemplifies the majesty and splendour of the past.
9. Dharmanath Temple, Kerala
The Dharmanath Temple, situated in the Kerala town of Mattancherry, is revered for its spiritual importance worldwide. This religious landmark, constructed in 1904 and bears the name of the 15th Tirthankara, Dharmanath, is over a century old.
The Jain community, who immigrated to this area from Gujarat and Rajasthan, values this sacred site greatly. The ageless architecture of the century-old building never fails to draw tourists. The Dharmanath Temple provides the ideal environment for achieving salvation or inner serenity.
10. Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, Delhi
Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, the oldest Jain temple in Delhi, is one of India’s holiest temples. It was constructed in 1656 and is located in Chandni Chowk, the centre of Old Delhi. The temple is well-known for its story of the Mughal era and is dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankara Lord Parshvanath.
The Jain merchants were invited to Delhi by the Mughal Emperor, who also gave them land there. The families built the temple to praise their gods and brought their faith with them. Visitors are welcomed by a Manastambha column at the entrance gate. The serene atmosphere is open to people of all faiths.
11. Badami Cave Temples, Karnataka
Badami’s cave temples in the same town are great examples of traditional Indian rock-cut architecture dating back to the sixth century. Four cave temples that were constructed during the reign of Pulakesin I make up the complex, while most of the growth happened during the Chalukya era.
As the Chalukyas’ capital and the centrepiece of the temple’s design, Vataapi Badami, the Badami Temple, was originally known. In 2015, a few other caverns that contain 27 Hindu statues were found. The Badami Cave Temples are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.
12. Bawangaja Jain Temple, Madhya Pradesh
Jainism’s founder Adinath chose this location as their place of penance. As a result, Bawagaja Temple is one of the most revered Jain temples in India and a significant site for pilgrimage. According to legend, the statue was cut out of a mountain and rises to a height of 4000 feet.
Lord Adinath promotes peace, expression, and art while in the meditational position. Kundalpur, in the state’s Damoh district, is well-known for having a statue of Adinath curled up in Padmasana. The valley has 63 temples. The area’s beautiful beauty is a gift for the eyes.
The Bottom Line
As one of the world’s oldest religions, Jainism has a long and varied history of sacred sites in India. These sites represent Jainism’s key values of nonviolence, compassion, detachment, and self-control. Anyone interested in Jainism or spirituality may find it rewarding and enlightening to visit these sites.
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