Shri Mahavir Ji is an important and prominent Jain pilgrimage site situated in Shri Mahaveerji town in Hindaun Block, Karauli district in Rajasthan.[1][2] Given the importance of the religious place, the Indian Railways has specifically developed a railway station under West Central Railway zone by the name of Shri Mahaveerji railway station which is 10 minutes drive from the temple and temple authorities have arranged for regular buses from the station to the temple. The temple is visited by millions of Jain and Hindu devotees every year.
| Jain Atishaya Kshetra Shri Mahaveerji | |
|---|---|
चंदनपुर महावीरजी मंदिर | |
 Shri Mahaveerji | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Jainism |
| Sect | Digambara |
| Deity | Mahavira |
| Festival | Mahavir Janma Kalyanak |
| Governing body | Shri Mahaveer Ji Trust |
| Location | |
| Location | Karauli, Hindaun, Rajasthan |
  Location of Shri Mahavirji Jain Temple | |
| Geographic coordinates | 26°41′43.7″N 76°55′48.78″E / 26.695472°N 76.9302167°E |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Nagara architecture |
| Creator | Shri Amar Chand Bilala |
| Date established | 17th century |
| Temple(s) | 6 |
| Website | |
| www | |
Main temple edit
There are five temples in Shri Mahavirji. Atishaya Kshetra Shri Mahavirji is considered one of the miraculous pilgrimages of Jains. This pilgrimage is situated at banks of Gambhir river in Hindaun Block of Karauli district, Rajasthan.[3][4] Built at the bank of a river, this pilgrimage is a prominent centre of devotion for Jain devotees. Chandanpur Mahavirji temple is hailed as the heart of pilgrimages. The temple is visited by millions of Jain and Hindu devotees every year.[5]
The temple trust extends various charitable and philanthropic services such as a dispensary, aushadhalaya (pharmacy), school, library, rehabilitation centre, promotion and extension of education, cultural and literary activities, scholarships, and research and study in Prakrit language.[5] The temple also has a naturopathy and yoga centre.[6]
History edit
The temple was constructed by a Jain merchant, Shri Amar Chand Bilala, in the 17th century upon the discovery of the idol of Mahavira.[7][5][8] This is a sacred place of the tradition of Jainism. Mahavirji also had a Bhattaraka seat which became defunct in 1970.[9]
Discovery of the Idol edit
The main temple contains the statue of the lord Mahavira and along with idols of other Tirthankaras.[8] The 'Mulnayak pratima' (main statue) is nearly 78 centimetres (2.56 ft) high and is carved out of sandstone. In this statue lord Mahavira is sitting in padmasana posture.[10]
The iconic idol of Lord Mahavira, the principal deity of the pilgrimage temple, was found during an excavation. It was later found to be more than 1000 years old. A Gurjar dairy farmer named Krapa Ram noticed that one of his cows was always dry of milk. When cow belonging used to pour out its milk every day upon a mound near Chandanpur village. It was surprising for the owner of that cow and the villagers. They excavated the mound and found the idol of lord Mahaveer. The villagers dedicated themselves to building a small hut over the idol where the idol was found. The place is now known as devata-ka tilla or chharan chatri. The news of the miracles idol spread and a Jain merchant, Shri Amar Chand Bilala visited the site and realised that it was a Jain idol. The King of Jaipur tried to execute the merchant but was saved by the miracles of the idol. Shri Amar Chand Bilala constructed a vast & magnificent temple here.[7]
According to legends, while trying to move the idol on a chariot to the temple constructed a few yards from the excavation site, the chariot did not move. Amar Chand Bilala prayed for the idol to move and the god replied that the chariot will move when Krapa Ram pushes the cart. At the site where the idol was excavated a small shrine chharan chatri with the representation of the footprint of the deity was constructed. The shrine is still managed by the family of Krapa Ram.[7]
Architecture edit
The main temple of Shri Mahaverji is a vast & magnificent ornamented structure constructed using marble and red sandstone. The temple exterior plan follows Māru-Gurjara architecture.[11] The temple is built in Nagara architecture. The structure has oblong and canopied chhatris. Temple has multiple cusped arches that are supported by pillars and the spandrel is decorated with a fringe pattern.[12] The temple has three pinnacles each bearing golden kalasha.[5] This temple is surrounded by Dharmashalas.[13] The premises of Dharmashalas surrounding the temple is called Katla. In the centre of Katla, the main temple is situated.[14] The entrance gate of Katla is very attractive and magnificent.
At the main gate, there comes a rectangular ground and then there are seven gates to enter the Mahamandapa. After entering the temple we found a big shrine before us. An icon of Bhagavān Mahavira resembling the miraculous principal deity and two other icons are installed here. In Garbh Griha (Central Room of Temple), on the main shrine, the miraculous icon of Bhagavān Mahavira in Padmāsana posture, coral-coloured made of sandstone is installed with Bhagavān Pushpadanta in the right side and Bhagavān Ādinātha’s icon in the left side. The temple also enshrines ancient icons of other Tirthankaras.
The exterior & interior walls of the temple are richly decorated with carvings and golden paintings of scenes from Mahavira's and Parshvanatha's life.[10] There are exquisite carvings of 16 mythological scenes on the outer walls of the temple.[5]
In the front of the main gate of the temple stands a 52 feet high marble Manastambha (column of pride).[15] Four Tirthankara icons are installed at the top of Manstambha in all directions.[5]
Mahamastakabhisheka edit
In 2022, Mahamastakabhisheka (transl. Grand Consecration) was organised here after 24 years and a 24 feet (7.3 m) statue of Mahavira has been installed here.[16][17][18]
Other temples edit
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Shantinath Jinalaya edit
Shantinath Jinalaya (Temple) at Shantiveer Nagar was built in the twentieth century.[11] The main attraction of the temple is an imposing 32 feet high colossus statue of Shantinatha, the 16th Jain tirthankara, in kayotsarga posture.[19][20] Icons of 24 Tirthankaras and their Shasan Deotas in sub-shrines are also installed here.[21] An attractive sky-high Manastambha is also standing here. The temple features devakulika cells that follows Māru-Gurjara architecture.[11]
Bhagwan Parshvanath Jinalaya edit
Bhagavān Parshvanatha Jinalaya, also called ‘Kanch Ka Mandir’ due to its mirror and glasswork, is situated in front of Sanmati Dharmashala. This temple was constructed by Late Bramhacharini Kamla Bai. The main idol of this temple is black coloured idol Bhagavān Parshvanatha.
Krishnabai Chaityalaya edit
Krishnabai chaityalaya was built in the 19th century. The temple features a double arch entrance, the first arch is foliated with a bud pattern & second is a round arch. The temple is a superstructure supported by pillars and canopied chhatri. The temple enshrines an idol of Mahavira in lotus position.[22]
Bhavya Kamal Mandir edit
The Bhavya Kamal Mandir temple was constructed in the 20th century and is located on the road connecting Shantinath Jinalya and Main Temple. The temple is dedicated to Chandraprabha. The temple features a arched gateway and canopied chhatris.[23]
How to Reach edit
There are three modes of transport to reach Shri Mahaveerji: Train, Bus and Flight
Reach by Flight edit
The nearest airport is Jaipur International Airport, located approximately 150 kilometers away. Alternatively, New Delhi Airport is a secondary option, situated approximately 250 kilometers from the destination.
Reach by Train edit
The train is the most convenient means of reaching Shri Mahaveerji. The temple is located 7 kilometers from Shri Mahaveerji railway station, which is part of the West Central railway network under the Kota railway division. It is classified as a Grade-C station on the New Delhi–Mumbai main line.
The Shri Mahaveerji Trust also offers a complimentary shuttle bus service to and from the railway station.
Reach by Bus edit
The Shri Mahaveerji Bus Stand is situated approximately 2 kilometers from the temple and falls under the Hindaun Depot of Rajasthan Roadways. From this location, buses to various destinations such as Jaipur, Nakodaji, Chandkheri, Kailadevi, and other places are readily available.
Annual Fair edit
An annual fair is organized in the temple premise around Mahavir Jayanti (April) which attracts Jains and people from many other communities including Meena and Gujjar and religions in a great number.[1][4] The fair is for five days (starts 2 days prior to Mahavir Jayanti and ends two days post Mahavir Jayanti) and ends with a colourful Rath Yatra pulled by Bullock cart. Many Jain sadhus or monks deliver religious discourses during this fair.[24]
Photo gallery edit
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Main vedi with idols of Pushpadanta, Mahavira, Rishabhanatha -
32 feet (9.8 m) statue of Shantinath at Shantinath Jinalaya -
Krishnabai Chaityalaya -
'Chharan chatri' location from where the main idol was excavated -
Kanch mandir -
6th-century Statue of Rishabhanatha at Jain Museum
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References edit
Citations edit
- ^ a b Stott & McCulloch 2014, p. 172.
- ^ West 2010, p. 682.
- ^ Hironi 1991, p. 58.
- ^ a b Karauli & Rajasthan Tourism.
- ^ a b c d e f Department of Devasthan.
- ^ Jain 2011, p. 108.
- ^ a b c Carrithers & Humphrey 1991, pp. 207–208.
- ^ a b Wiley 2009, p. 135.
- ^ Dundas 2002, p. 125.
- ^ a b Titze & Bruhn 1998, p. 129.
- ^ a b c Hegewald 2015, p. 122.
- ^ IGNCA, p. 3.
- ^ "Accommodation". www.shreemahaveerji.com.
- ^ Gazetteer of India 1981, p. 517.
- ^ IGNCA & Mahaveer Jain Stambh.
- ^ Jain & Gautam 2022.
- ^ Chaturvedi, Surendra (8 July 2022). "Chief Secretary reviewed the meeting Shri Mahavirji: Preparation for Mahamastakabhishek Festival". Rajasthan Patrika (in Hindi). Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ Chaturvedi, Surendra (22 August 2022). "24 feet high statue of Lord Jinendra installed". Rajasthan Patrika (in Hindi). Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ Gazetteer of India 1981, p. 551.
- ^ IGNCA & Shantinath temple, pp. 1–2.
- ^ Shree Mahaveer Jinalay Mandir.
- ^ IGNCA & Krishnabai Chaityalaya, pp. 1–2.
- ^ IGNCA & Chandprabha temple, pp. 1–2.
- ^ "Devotees throng Shri Mahavirji Temple in Rajasthan". Zee News. 28 April 2002.
Sources edit
Books edit
- Carrithers, Michael; Humphrey, Caroline (1991). The Assembly of Listeners: Jains in Society. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-05-213-6505-5.
- Dundas, Paul (2002) [1992], The Jains (Second ed.), London and New York: Routledge, ISBN 978-0-415-26605-5
- Hironi, Kalyan (1991). Landuse Planning and Geomorphology: A Study of Sawai Madhopur. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788170223504.
- Jain, Mohan Raj (2011). Science of Yoga & Health. Dr. M. R. J. Charitable Trust.
- Gazetteer of India (1981). Rajasthan [district Gazetteers]: Sawai Madhopur. Vol. 22. Government Central Press.
- Stott, David; McCulloch, Victoria (2014). Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra. Footprint Focus. Footprint Travel Guides. ISBN 9781909268395.
- Titze, Kurt; Bruhn, Klaus (1998). Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence (2 ed.). Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-1534-6.
- West, Barbara A. (2010), Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania, Facts On File, ISBN 9781438119137
- Wiley, Kristi L. (2009), The A to Z of Jainism, vol. 38, Scarecrow, ISBN 978-0-8108-6337-8
Web edit
- Hegewald, Julia A. B. (2015). "THE INTERNATIONAL JAINA STYLE? Māru-Gurjara Temples Under the Solaṅkīs, throughout India and in the Diaspora". Ars Orientalis. 45 (20220203): 114–140. doi:10.3998/ars.13441566.0045.005. JSTOR 26350210.
- Jain, Manoj; Gautam, Tripti (25 November 2022). "Message of Lord Mahavir relevant even today: Gehlot". First India News Rajasthan. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- "Karauli". Rajasthan Tourism.
- "Mandir Shri Mahaveer Ji". Department of Devasthan, Government of Rajasthan.
- Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
- IGNCA. "Digambar Jain Mandir Shree Mahaveer jee" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
- IGNCA. "Mahaveer Jain Stambh" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
- IGNCA. "Shree Mahaveer Jinalay Mandir" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
- IGNCA. "Shree Chandra Prabhu Jain Mandir" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
- IGNCA. "Shree Shanti Nath Mandir" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
- IGNCA. "Shree Mahaveer Swami Jain Mandir" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
External links edit
Media related to Shri Mahaveerji temple at Wikimedia Commons