Shri Mahavirji temple

Shri Mahavir Ji is an important and prominent Jain pilgrimage site situated in Shri Mahaveerji town in Hindaun Block, Karauli district in Rajasthan. 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 station to the temple. The temple is visited by millions of Jain and Hindu devotees every year.

Main temple

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. 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.

The temple trust extends various charitable and philanthropic services such as dispensary, aushadhalaya (pharmacy), school, library, rehabilitation center, promotion and extension of education, cultural and literary activities, scholarships, and research and study in Prakrit language. The temple also has a naturopathy and yoga center.

In 2022, Mahamastakabhisheka () is being organised here after 24 years and a statue of Mahavira has been installed here.

History

The temple was constructed by a Jain merchant, Shri Amar Chand Bilala, in the 17th century upon discovery of the idol of Mahavira. This is a sacred place of the tradition of Jainism. Mahavirji was also had a Bhattaraka seat which became defunct in 1970.

Discovery of the statue

The main temple contains the statue of lord Mahavira and few others. The 'Mulnayak pratima' (main statue) is nearly 78 cm high and is carved out of sandstone. In this statue lord Mahavira is sitting in padmasana posture.

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.

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 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.

Architecture

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. 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 fringe pattern. The temple has three pinnacles each bearing golden ''kalasha''. This temple is surrounded by Dharmashalas. The premises of Dharmashalas surrounding the temple is called Katla. In the centre of Katla, the main temple is situated. The entrance gate of Katla is very attractive and magnificent.

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. There are exquisite carvings of 16 mythological scenes on the outer walls of the temple.

In the front of the main gate of the temple stands a 52 feet high marble Manastambha (column of pride). Four Tirthankara icons are installed at the top of Manstambha in all directions.

Other temples

Shantinath Jinalaya

Shantinath Jinalaya (Temple) at Shantiveer Nagar was built in twentieth-century. The main attraction of the temple is an imposing 32 feet high colossus statue of Shantinatha, the 16th Jain tirthankara, in kayotsarga posture. Icons of 24 Tirthankaras and their Shasan Deotas in sub shrines are also installed here. An attractive sky high Manastambha is also standing here. The temple features devakulika cells that follows Māru-Gurjara architecture.

Bhagwan Parshvanath Jinalaya

Bhagavān Parshvanatha Jinalaya, also called ‘Kanch Ka Mandir’ due its mirror and glass work, is situated in front of Sanmati Dharmashala. This temple was constructed by Late Bramhacharini Kamla Bai. Main idol of this temple is black colored idol Bhagavān Parshvanatha.

Krishnabai Chaityalaya

Krishnabai chaityalaya was built in 19th century. The temple features a double arch entrance, first arch is foliated with bud pattern & second is a round arch. The temple is a superstructure supported by pillars and canopied chhatri. The temple enshires an idol of Mahavira in lotus position.

Bhavya Kamal Mandir

The Bhavya Kamal Mandir temple was constructed in 20th century and 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''.

Annual Fair

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. The fair is for five days (starts 2 days prior to Mahavir Jayanti and end two days post Mahavir Jayanti) and ends with a colorful Rath Yatra pulled by Bullock cart. Many Jain sadhus or monks deliver religious discourses during this fair.

Photo gallery

File:Main vedi of Shri Mahaveerji.jpg, Main vedi with idols of Pushpadanta, Mahavira, Rishabhanatha
File:Mahaveerji Shantinath Statue.png, statue of Shantinath at Shantinath Jinalaya
File:Shri Mahaveerji - Krishnabai temple (cropped).jpg, Krishnabai Chaityalaya
File:Mian temple3.jpg, 'Chharan chatri' location from where main idol was excavated
File:Mian temple7.jpg, Kanch mandir
File:Shri Mahavirji - Jain Museum - Rishabhanatha Statue - 6th Century.jpg, 6th century Statue of Rishabhanatha at Jain Museum

References

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* Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
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External links

Devasthan Vibhag, Govt. of Rajasthan

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Jain temples in Rajasthan
Tourist attractions in Karauli district
Tourist attractions in Hindaun
Cities and towns in Karauli district
Hindaun Block
19th-century Jain temples
Colossal Jain statues in India