The Kamaldah Jain temple, located in Patna, Bihar, is one of the oldest Jain temples.

Kamaldah Jain temple
Kamaldah Jain temple
Kamaldah Jain temple
Religion
AffiliationJainism
DeityNeminatha
FestivalsMahavir Jayanti
Location
LocationPatna, Bihar
Geographic coordinates25°35′47.7″N 85°12′11″E / 25.596583°N 85.20306°E / 25.596583; 85.20306
Architecture
Date established1729 CE
Temple(s)3

History edit

Kamaldah Jain temple is believed to be built on the site where Jain acharya Sthulabhadra (297—198 BCE) spent his last days. Sthulabhadra, the founder of Śvētāmbara sect of Jainism,[1] along with Bhadrabahu was the spiritual teacher of Chandragupta Maurya.[2] The temple was built in 1729 CE (V.S. 1848) to commemorate the Sthulabhadra.[3] The temple houses an inscription dating back to 1792 CE.[4][2]

Architecture edit

Kamaldah Jain temple is built on a brick mound. The temple features an illustration of Sthulabhadra.[5] The second temple is dedicated to Sudarshana.[4] The temple houses black stone foot prints of Sudarshana to which saffron is applied daily as offering. The door of the temple has an image of Bhairava.[3] The temple is an important pilgrimage site for Jains and is part of Jain circuit of bihar.[6][7]

Conservation edit

The Government of Bihar has included this temple for conservation along with Agam Kuan, Durakhi devi temple, Begu Hajjam's Mosque, Golghar, and Takht Sri Patna Sahib.[8][9]

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ Dalal 2010, p. 1114.
  2. ^ a b Wood 2015, p. 50.
  3. ^ a b Sinha 1999, p. 38.
  4. ^ a b Singh 2018, p. 470.
  5. ^ Sinha & Kumar 2012, p. 140.
  6. ^ Bihar Bhawan, p. 2.
  7. ^ Department of Industries.
  8. ^ Kaminsky & Long 2011, p. 548.
  9. ^ PTI 2018.

Sources edit

  • Dalal, Roshen (2010) [2006]. The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths. Penguin books. ISBN 978-0-14-341517-6.
  • Kaminsky, Arnold P.; Long, Roger D. (2011). India Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic. Vol. 1. California: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-313-37462-3.
  • Singh, Pradyuman (2018). Bihar General Knowledge Digest. New Delhi: Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 978-93-52667-69-7.
  • Sinha, Nishi (1999). Tourism Perspective in Bihar. New Delhi: APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-70249-75-7.
  • Sinha, Udai Prakash; Kumar, Swargesh (2012). Bihar Tourism: Retrospect and Prospect. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-80697-99-9.
  • Wood, Michael (2015). The Story of India. Michael Wood: The Story of India. BBC Books. ISBN 9781448141463.
  • PTI (1 April 2018). "42 heritage monuments, sites in Bihar state-protected". The New Indian Express.
  • "Tourism in Bihar". Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India). Bihar.
  • "Jain circuit" (PDF). Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation. New Delhi.

External links edit