10 Famous Jain Temples In India That You Must Visit Once

India is a country of different religions and cultures. Just as Hinduism was born in India, India is also considered to be the origin of Jainism and perhaps this is the reason why today there are hundreds of temples and pilgrimage sites of Jainism in India, which attract thousands of devotees. So let’s know about the 10 most famous Jain temples In India.

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List of Jain Temples in India

1. Gomateshwara Temple, Karnataka

The Gomateshwara Temple is the most famous Jain temple in India, located on the Vidyagiri mountain in Shravanabelagola, the main state of Karnataka, where a huge black stone statue of Lord Gomateshwara is present.

Gomateshwara Temple is also known as Bahubali Temple, where the present statue is 18 meters long and is visited by people not only from India but from all over the world.

Mahamastakabhishek of this idol is done every 12 years. And at that time lakhs of people gather there. Those who anoint this huge statue with milk, sugarcane juice, ghee, and saffron. Also, this idol is bathed with sandalwood, turmeric, and vermilion powder.

Nearest Railway Station: Shravanabelagola Railway Station (SBGA)

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2. Bawangaja Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Bawangaja Temple is a very holy place for the people associated with Jainism. It is the largest Jain temple complex in India and houses 8 impressive Jain temples built around the 12th century.

This place has an 84 feet high megalithic statue of Lord Adinath, the first Tirthankar of the Jain temple, which emerges from the jagged area at the base of the Satpura range. and You will be surprised to know that this statue is considered to be the tallest Jain statue in India.

Perhaps you will be aware that the idol present here was carved on a brownstone in a battle posture, which resembles the statue of Lord Bahubali.

Nearest Railway Station: Meghnagar (MGN)

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3. Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajasthan

Ranakpur Temple is located in Ranakpur village, about 95 km from Udaipur, Rajasthan. This is a major Jain pilgrimage site in Rajasthan. The special thing about Ranakpur Jain Temple is that it was built by Darna Shah, a reputed merchant of that time, in the 15th century with the help of the Mewar ruler.

You will be surprised to know that this temple complex includes many temples named Chaturmukha Temple, Parshvanath Temple, Sun Temple, and Amba Temple.

These temples in Rajasthan enshrine various Jain Tirthankaras. By the way, if we talk about the most prominent of these temples, then it is the Chaturmukh temple that is dedicated to Adinath. Ranakpur Jain Temple is so beautiful that it is considered one of the 77th wonders of the world that illuminates the royal state of Rajasthan.

Nearest Railway Station: Falna Railway Station (FA)

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4. Palitana Temples, Gujarat

This group of 863 Palitana temples located on Shatrunjaya hills of Palitana city of Gujarat is considered the holiest site of Jainism after Shikharji of Jharkhand.

The construction of the Palitana Temple here started around the 11th century during the reign of King “Kumarapala” and took 900 years to complete. This group of temples is very large, of which the main temple is situated at the highest height to which one has to climb 3,500 steps.

Friends, these temples were badly damaged by the invaders during the 14th and 15th centuries. But still, it is the best example of sculpture splendor in the whole of India. Well if you want to visit this place. Then you can go to visit here at any time other than monsoon because this temple remains closed during monsoon.

Nearest Railway Station: Palitana Railway Station (PIT)

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5. Girnar Jain Temple, Gujarat

The Girnar group of Jain temples, located on the Girnar mountain in Junagadh, Gujarat, is one such group, such that both Digambar and Shvetambara are considered sacred among Jain communities. Girnar mountain has its own importance in Jainism because on this mountain the 22nd Tirthankar of Jainism, Lord Neminath attained salvation.

Although Girnar temples were built around 1129, this area has been considered sacred already before two and a half hundred BC. Friends, to reach the top of the temple complex, you have to climb about 10 thousand steps, for which palanquin is also available nowadays. Girnar is as beautiful as the Jain temple. So is the environment around this temple. After which you will feel heaven and you will get peace of mind.

Nearest Railway Station: Junagadh Junction Railway Station (JND)

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6. Dharamnath Temple, Kerala

Dharamnath Temple located in the town of Mattancherry in Kerala is known for its religious significance across the world. Perhaps you know that it was built in 1904 and since then till today it has remained a major center of faith for the people of the Jain community from Gujarat and Rajasthan.

This temple is named after Dharmanath Ji, the 15th Tirthankar of Jainism. Also, this temple has a very close relationship with the Dilwara temples built on Mount Abu. Friends, this temple built amidst dense coconut trees and lush green colors is a very spectacular place for inner peace and salvation, which can attract anyone with its intricate architecture.

However, it is not that only the idol of Lord Dharmanath is present in this temple because apart from him the idols of various deities and Tirthankaras are also present in this temple.

Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam Junction railway station(ERS)

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7. Sonagiri Temples, Madhya Pradesh

Friends, Sonagir is considered to be one of the main places of Jain temples in India, where a large number of people of Jainism from all over India come to visit. These religious places present in Madhya Pradesh are a group of eighty-four Jain temples built on small hills, which were built between the 9th and 10th centuries.

It is believed that about 5.5 crore saints attained salvation here, due to which people see it as a popular place for penance. You will be surprised to know that the hill on which these temples are built, is said that at one time this hill used to be of gold, which according to Jain philosophy is believed to be the place of Chandraprabhu, the eighth Tirthankara of Jainism.

Nearest Railway Station: Sonagir Railway Station (SOR)

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8. Kulpakji Temple, Telangana

Friends Kulpakji Temple is considered to be one of the most prominent and ancient temples of Jainism built in the 10th century. It is located in the ‘Kolanupaka’ village of Telangana which holds great importance for the Shvetambara community.

Perhaps you are aware that this ancient Jain temple has been dedicated to Lord Adinath, the first Tirthankar of Jainism, and people say that God himself has chosen this area for his abode. You will be surprised to know that the idols of Lord Mahavir present here are very huge and are made of a very precious stone.

By the way, now most of the parts of the Kulpakji temple have been rebuilt and its womb planet is still as ancient as before. Not only this, 2 thousand years old inscriptions have been found in this temple, which makes it a major center of faith of the people.

Nearest Railway Station: Aler Railway Station (ALER)

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9. Dilwara Temple, Mount Abu

Located at a distance of about 2.5 kilometers from Mount Abu, the Dilwara Jain temple was built by Vimal Shah between the 11th and 13th centuries. Although there are many major temples of Jainism in Rajasthan, this temple is the best example of splendor.

As the sunlight falls on the Dilwara temple, then it shines like a diamond. Due to this, the devotees coming here not only become devotional by coming here but also get to enjoy the peace around them. Hardly you know that this temple is divided into five different parts which have been dedicated to the Tirthankars.

Out of these temples, the temple of Lord Adinath is the oldest Jain temple in India. In which you will get to see a sample of the magnificent carvings and unmatched workmanship of ancient India. By the way, this temple is slightly different from other Jain temples. Because arrangements for bathing have also been made here for all the devotees. Those who have a darshan of the idols of God only after taking a bath here.

Nearest Railway Station: Abu Road Railway Station (ABR)

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10. Shikharji Temple, Jharkhand

Shikharji Temple is the main center of Jainism’s faith as it is the place where 20 Tirthankaras of Jainism attained salvation. Shikharji temple is situated atop the Parasnath hills of Jharkhand, the hills which were named after the 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanath who got the construction here.

Today the Shikharji Temple, recognized as the peak of concentration, was constructed in the 18th century. And since then it is known for its historical importance. Which is not only famous as a Jain pilgrimage site but is also a tourist’s paradise. Tourists from all over the world including India come to see it.

Although this temple is very beautiful its journey is very difficult because to reach this temple you have to climb the whole hill, it takes about 3 hours.

.Nearest Railway Station: Parasnath railway station

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