Top 10 Jain Temples in India That You Must Visit Once in Your Life
India is a multicultural country known for its rich history, nature, and world-famous temples. You will be surprised to know that India is popular not only for its majestic Hindu temples but also for its mesmerizing Jain temples. Jain temples are an important pilgrimage destination for Jains and are found all over India.
India has many beautiful Jain temples that show the wide spread of this religion across the country and continue to be a tourist attraction along with Jains. These temples attract thousands of devotees every year.
10 Most Famous Jain Temples in India
Check out the famous Jain temples in India where Mahavir Jayanthi is celebrated with great grandeur.
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Shri Mahaveer Jain Temple, Karauli, Rajasthan
Shri Mahavir Ji Temple is a large temple in Karauli, Rajasthan, 110 km from Sawai Madhopur city. Let me tell you that earlier this village was known as Chandanpur. But when the ancient idol of Mahavira was unearthed a few hundred years ago, the place became famous as a Jain religious place and was later renamed as Sri Mahavir.
You should know that the temple of Shri Mahavirji was built 200 years ago at the place where the idol of Mahavir Ji was found during excavation. This temple is so famous that devotees come from far and wide to visit and see this idol.
Nearest Railway Station: Shri Mahabirji Railway Station (SMBJ)
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Nakoda Jain Temple, Rajasthan
Sri Nakoda Jain Temple is an ancient temple built in the 3rd century and renovated several times. About 58 cm tall idol of Parshvanath in Nakoda Jain temple is seated in lotus position. The ancient name of the Nakoda Jain Temple was Veerampur Nagari, because Veerasen and Nakorsen probably built that holy temple in the third century, which is the main religious center of the Jain community.
The statue of Parshwanath installed in the temple was brought here from Nakoda village. Hence this place is called Nakoda Parshwanath Temple. A grand fair is also organized on Paush Krishnan Dashmi, the birthday of Lord Parshvanath, which attracts pilgrims and tourists from different parts of the country.
Nearest Railway Station: Balotra Jn Railway Station (BLT)
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Gomateshwar Mandir, Karnataka
Gomateshwara Temple is one of the oldest Jain temples in India located in Shravanabelagola, Hassan district of Karnataka. One of the most interesting facts about Gomateshwara Temple is that it is also known as Shravanabelagola Temple or Bahubali Temple. The temple has a 17-meter-tall statue of the presiding deity Jain Tirthankara, which is the largest monolithic statue in the world. The Gomateshwara temple was built in the 11th century by General Chamundarai, king of Rajamalla of the Ganga dynasty.
Based on the shape, the inscriptions are probably Tamil and Kannada. Mahamastakabhisheka is an important festival celebrated once in 12 years at the Gomateshwara temple where the idol is sprinkled with milk, saffron, ghee and curd and during which a large number of Jains and tourists can be seen.
Nearest Railway Station: Shravanabelagola Railway Station (SBGA)
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Dilwara Jain Temple, Mount Abu
Nestled among the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan, Dilwara Jain Temple is one of the most beautiful pilgrimage sites in the country. The temple was built by Vastupala Tejpal in the 11th and 13th centuries. The temple is famous for its intricate carvings and marble decorations in every corner.
This temple looks very ordinary from the outside, but when you see the inside of this temple, you will see amazing patterns on its roof, walls, arches and pillars. It is not only a Jain pilgrimage site but also a magical building made of marble which makes tourists from all over the world come here again and again.
Nearest Railway Station: Abu Road Railway Station (ABR)
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Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajasthan
Ranakpur Jain Temple, one of the most famous Jain temples in India, is located near the town of Sadri in the state of Rajasthan. . Spread over an area of 4,500 square meters and consisting of 29 halls, the Ranakpur Jain Temple is one of the five major pilgrimage centers of Jainism. Also known as Chaturmukh Dharna Vihar, this temple is dedicated to Tirthankar Rishabhanath, the head of Jainism.
The Ranakpuri Jain temple was built in the 5th century during the reign of the Rajput emperor Rana Kumbha. The temple is known worldwide for its magnificent architecture, which continues to be an attraction for tourists from all over the world.
Nearest Railway Station: Falna Railway Station (FA)
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Sonagiri Jain Temple, Madhya Pradesh
Sonagiri Temple, located in the small town of Sonagiri in Madhya Pradesh, is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in India. . “Sonagiri” means “golden peak”. This temple is also unique as it is believed to be the place where Nangnag Kumar attained salvation with his fifteen thousand followers. Let me tell you that the temple is located on top of the majestic Shatrunjaya hill where the 11 feet tall statue of Lord Chandraprabhu is the main attraction of the temple.
Along with the main temple there is a group of approximately 900 temples where each temple is superior to the others in terms of its beauty and glory. Beautiful paintings and sculptures, intricate carvings, impressive murals and jewelry carvings are some of the unique attractions of these temples. Sonagiri Temple attracts many Jains and tourists.
Nearest Railway Station: Sonagiri Railway Station (SOR)
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Puliyarmala Jain Temple, Kerala
Puliyarmala Jain Temple in Kerala’s Wayanad district is one of the most popular Jain temples in India, an important pilgrimage site for Jains. Puliyarmala Jain Temple is dedicated to Anantnath Swami who was a Tirthankara and hence this temple is also known as “Anantnath Swami Temple”.
Puliyarmala Jain Temple is one of the oldest Jain temples in Kerala, built in the 13th century. It shows the mastery of Jain architecture, the temple doors and stupas are beautifully carved, while the interior of the temple is carved in a calm and smooth manner.
Nearest Railway Station: Kozhikode (Calicut) Railway Station (CLT).
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Kulpakji Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Located in Kolanupaka, a small village in the Nalgonda district of Telangana, Kulpakji Temple is a famous Jain temple dedicated to the trinity of Lord Rishabh, Lord Neminath, and Lord Mahavira. Also known as the Konlupaka Jain Temple, it houses a 130 cm tall Mahavir Swami main idol.
The nearly 2,000-year-old Kulpakji Temple is an important pilgrimage site for the Shvetambara Jains in South India, hosting thousands of Jains and tourists every year. And you should know that this area is especially important in Andhra Pradesh because in 1125 more than twenty Jain inscriptions were found here.
Nearest Railway Station: Aler station (ALER).
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Nareli Jain Temple, Ajmer
Nareli Jain Temple, about 7 km from Ajmer, is a place of pilgrimage for Digambaran Jains. Made of marble, Nareli Jain Temple continues to be popular among tourists for its beautiful architecture and intricate stone carvings depicting both traditional and modern forms. This temple is made entirely of stone and is surrounded by beautifully designed gardens.
This temple is believed by local people to grant wishes and bring prosperity. The main temple has a 22-foot statue of Guru Adinathji on the ground floor and 24 miniature temples of other Tirthankaras on the hills above. It is one of the most impressive Jain temples in India for tourists. The architecture of the Nareli Jain temple and the natural beauty of the hills will take you away from the urban area.
Nearest Railway Station: Ajmer Junction (AII)
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Hanumantal Jain Temple, Jabalpur
Hanumantal Jain Temple, one of the most famous Jain temples in India, is located in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. It is dedicated to the Jain goddess Padmavati. Hanumantal Jain Temple is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Jains. Built in the 17th century, the Hanumantal Jain Temple is where the annual Jain procession begins on Lord Mahavira’s birthday.
The temple looks like 22 shrines, making it the most important independent Jain temple in India. The Hanumantal Jain Temple is a paradise for ancient art lovers with many paintings from different eras.
Nearest Railway Station: Jabalpur Railway Station (JBP)
These are some of the most important and largest Jain temples in India. If you want to travel to these places by trains, you can enjoy authentic and hygienically prepared pure Jain food on trains at your seat with the Travelkhana Rail Food App.