Sarnath Jain Tirth, also called the Shreyanshnath Jain Temple, is a

Jain Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current time cycle being ...

temple A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose temples ...

Sarnath Sarnath (Hindustani pronunciation: aːɾnaːtʰ also referred to as Sarangnath, Isipatana, Rishipattana, Migadaya, or Mrigadava) is a place located northeast of Varanasi, near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers in Uttar Pr ...

. It is located roughly 50 meters to the southeast of

Dhamek Stupa Dhamek Stupa (also spelled ''Dhamekh'' and ''Dhamekha'') is a massive stupa located at the archaeological site of Sarnath in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Dhamek Stupa marks the precise location where the Buddha preached his first discour ...

History

Simhapuri, present-day Singhpuri village, is believed to be the birthplace of the

Shreyansanatha Shreyansanath was the eleventh Jain Tirthankara of the present age (Avasarpini). According to Jain beliefs, he became a Siddha – a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Shreyansanatha was born to King ''Vishnu'' and Queen ''Vis ...

, the 11th ''

tirthankara In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (Sanskrit: '; English: literally a 'ford-maker') is a saviour and spiritual teacher of the ''dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a '' tirtha'', which is a fordable passag ...

''. The place also marks four of five Kalyanaka (auspicious events) of Shreyansanatha: ''Chyavan'' (tirthankara enter's their mother's womb), ''Janm'' (birth), ''

Diksha Diksha (Sanskrit: दीक्षा) also spelled diksa, deeksha or deeksa in common usage, translated as a "preparation or consecration for a religious ceremony", is giving of a mantra or an initiation by the guru (in Guru–shishya tradition) ...

'' (renunciation) and '' Kevala Jnana'' (omniscience).

Mahavira Mahavira (Sanskrit: महावीर) also known as Vardhaman, was the 24th ''tirthankara'' (supreme preacher) of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd ''tirthankara'' Parshvanatha. Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6t ...

also delivered sermons at Sarnath and

Varanasi Varanasi (; ; also Banaras or Benares (; ), and Kashi.) is a city on the Ganges river in northern India that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world. * * * * The city has a syncretic t ...

. The ruins near the main temple are believed to be of an ancient Jain temple erected by

Śvētāmbara The Śvētāmbara (; ''śvētapaṭa''; also spelled ''Shwethambara'', ''Svetambar'', ''Shvetambara'' or ''Swetambar'') is one of the two main branches of Jainism, the other being the ''Digambara''. Śvētāmbara means "white-clad", and refers ...

About temple

The temple was constructed in 1824 CE to commemorate the birthplace of Shreyansanatha. The ''mulnayak''(primary deity) of the temple is a large image of Shreyansanatha and impressions of footprints. The temple also features attractive frescoes depicting the life of Mahavira.

Gallery

File:Jain Temple at the Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath.jpg, Ancient Jain temple ruins near main temple File:Interior of the Jain Temple dedicated to Shreyansanath was the eleventh Jain Tirthankar, Sarnath.jpg, Idol of Shreyansanatha File:Interior of the Jain Temple dedicated to Shreyansanath, the eleventh Jain Tirthankar, Sarnath.jpg, Frescoes inside temple

History

About temple

Gallery

See also

References

Citations

Sources

External links