The architectural history of India is extensive and diverse. Jainism is one of the first religions to have its origins in this diverse country. Most Jain temples are located in areas connected to the life of the Tirthankaras. The Jainism religion endorses a path of non-violence toward all living things. There are innumerable Jain temples in India, and they are well-known for their distinctive architecture and magnificent marble stone carvings. These Jain temples’ exquisite architecture, beauty, and tranquillity would enthral any art enthusiast who visits them.
Here is a collection of the most stunning Jain temples in India that you should visit if you want to find or experience inner serenity and respect for all living beings.
Ranakpur Jain Temples, Rajasthan
A white marble Adinatha temple constructed in the middle of a forest in the fifteenth century is Chaturmukha temple. This temple is renowned for its fine sculptures and innovative design. The structure took the shape of the Nalini-Gulma Vimana, and the primary Chaumukha Adinatha idol is situated in the temple’s Garbhagriha. A wall bounding sub-shrines surrounds this courtyard. A single marble slab was used to create the exquisite Parshvanatha deity, the temple’s claim to fame.
As a component of Gorwad Panch Tirth, the temple is regarded as one of the five holiest Jain temples in India. The Suparshvanatha, Neminatha, Mahavir, and Sun temples are also located nearby.
Entry fee: Free
Timings:
5:30 AM – 11:00 AM
4:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Shikharji Jain Temples, Jharkhand
One of the highest Jain temples is the Shikharji Jain Temple, located on a peak that rises 4,429 feet above sea level in Jharkhand’s Parasnath Range. Shikharji also received the title Sammed Shikharji. Shikharji, a place in Jharkhand where 20 of the 24 Tirthankaras are believed to have obtained salvation via meditation, is revered as being extremely sacred. It is the most sacred tirtha (place of pilgrimage) for Jains.
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Dilwara Temple, Rajasthan
Vimal Shah constructed the temple between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries, and the Dhokla Jain Ministers created a unique appearance. It is located on Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan and the five white-domed temples are flanked by gently sloping hills of rich greenery, which give the area a sense of tranquillity. This holy place is renowned for its magnificent entrance, doors, arches, roof carvings, and other marble-built monuments.
Entry fee: Free
Timings:
6:00 am – 6:00 pm (Jain Pilgrims)
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Non-Jains)
Palitana Temples, Gujarat
There are approximately 863 marble-carved Jain temples among 3,000 temples in the Palitana Temple Complex, most of which are concentrated in a group of nine. Being the holiest in the structure, the main temple is devoted to Rishabhanatha or Adinath. It is thought that Adinath personally travelled to the Shatrunjaya Hills on multiple occasions and was the one to sanctify the location by giving his first preaching there.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
Gomateshwara Temple, Karnataka
One of the five monolithic sculptures, this 57-foot-tall statue of Gomateshwara, also known as Bahubali, is situated in Karnataka, India. Chavundaraya, a minister and commander of Karunadu, or the Western Ganga Dynasty of ancient Karnataka, gave the order to build it around 983 CE. A significant occasion or festival called “Mahamastakabhisheka” occurs here every 12 years. This enormous figure is washed with milk, sandalwood paste, vermilion, turmeric, and other substances throughout the celebration.
Entry fee: Free (If you hire any guide, it costs around 200 INR)
Timings: 6:30 AM – 11:30 AM, 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Sonagiri Temples, Madhya Pradesh
A significant place of worship for the Digambar Jain community is Sonagiri. The 11-foot-tall idol of Chandraprabhu, the eighth Tirthankara, is the major attraction of this temple. In addition, worshippers are well-liked by the exquisite Lord Sheetalnath and Parsvanatha idols in this religious area. Moreover, the temple has numerous intriguing components, including jewelled statues, carvings, and sculptures. The 300 steps up to the peak must be climbed barefoot by both tourists and pilgrims.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
Dharmanath Temple, Kerala
Source: Wikimedia
Lord Dharmanath is worshiped in this temple (15th Tirthankara). The magnificent interiors, which are embellished with elaborate sculptures and decorations, are a visual feast. In addition to Lord Dharmanath’s primary temple, there are other gods and Tirthankara statues to be seen here.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 5:00 am – 8:00 pm
Kulpakji Temple, Telangana
The age of this temple exceeds 2000 years. For Svetabaram Jains, a subset of Jainism, it is a significant place of worship. There are three shrines: Lord Neminatha, Lord Mahavira, and Lord Rishabhanatha. This most considerable part of the temple is its idol of Lord Mahavira. One chunk of jade, measuring 130 cm long, was used to create the whole statue.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 6:00 am – 7:00 pm
Ellora Jain Caves, Maharashtra
The magnificent Ellora Jain caves, embellished with intricate sculptures and paintings, are located away from the tourist crowds. There are five caves in this place: Caves 29, 30, 31, 32-33, and 34 in the four-pillared building called Cave 31, where a Mahavira idol is placed. In both cases 32 and 33, Indra Sabha and Jagannatha Sabha, and in cave 34, Parshvanatha are placed.
Entry fee: Indian tourists- INR 40
Foreign tourists- INR 600
Timings: 24 hours open
Badami Cave Temples, Karnataka
The well-known Trivikrama Cave temple, constructed in the late sixth century, is the first of the numerous Jain cave temples in Badami. The four separate caves that compose the temples are built of red sandstone. Lord Shiva appears as Nataraja in the first cave devoted to Hindu deities. In his fifth Vamana avatar, Lord Vishnu is honoured in the second cave. The third cave praises Lord Vishnu. Finally, the sculpture of Parshavanatha can be found in the fourth cave.
Entry fee: Indian tourists – INR 10
Foreign tourists – INR 100
Timings: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Hanumantal Bada Jain Mandir, Madhya Pradesh
Source: Wikimedia
Padmavati, a Jain goddess, is placed in this temple. On Lord Mahavira’s birthday, the annual Jain procession starts at the Hanumantal Jain Temple, which was constructed in the 17th century. The temple has multiple shikharas and is designed to resemble a castle. There are 22 shrines, making it India’s biggest autonomous Jain temple.
Entry fees: Indian tourists – Free
Foreign tourist – INR 10
Shri Mahavirji Jain Temples, Rajasthan
Source: Wikimedia
Five main temples were constructed in this temple: Atishaya Kshetra Shri Mahavirji, Shantinath Jinalaya, Bhavya Kamal Mandir, Kirti Ashram Chaityalaya, and Parshvanatha Jinalaya. Atishaya Shetra Shri Mahavirji temple is honoured by Lord Mahavira and is curved with sandstone.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 8.00 am – 6.00 pm
Girnar Jain Temples, Gujarat
Source: Wikimedia
The Neminath Temple, constructed in 1128 AD, is the centre of attention at the Girnar Temple. It has a rich history that extends back to the reign of Chandragupta as the Mauryan ruler. The Jains know Girnar as the fifth Kalyanath. Several temples, including the well-known Shivling and the Chakravarti, are located all around the temple.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 6:00 am – 5:00 pm
Chaturmukha Basadi, Karnataka
Chaturmukha, constructed under the patronage of Immadi Vodeya of the Santara Dynasty, is one of the most well-known Jain structures in Karkala. The massive Bahubali statue of Karkala is in front of Chaturmukha Basadi. With more than 100 pillars supporting the ceiling, the Basadi is entirely constructed from granite cuts. Mallinath, Aranath, and Munisuvratnath are depicted in the temple.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Parshvanatha Temple, Madhya Pradesh
Source: Wikimedia
The Parshvanatha temple is the most prominent Jain temple in Khajuraho. Chain and flower motifs, as well as two linked flying vidyadharas, may be seen on the front porch’s ceiling. In addition, a mystical square, known as the “Jaina square,” is inscribed on the temple. Despite the temple’s Jain allegiance, the exterior walls also feature Vaishnavite themes, such as statues of Hindu gods and their paramours. The temple is declared a “Monument of National Importance” by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 5:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sheth Hutheesing Jain Temples, Ahmedabad
Source: Wikimedia
This temple was built by Premchand Salat around 1848 A.D. Here the main god is Shri Dharmanath. The 52 Tirthankara statues within the temple complex are expertly sculpted.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 5:30 am – 7:30 pm
Bawangaja Jain Temple, Madhya Pradesh
Source: Wikimedia
There are eleven imposing temples in the Bawangaja complex, all of which were built in the fifteenth century. A site to observe is the 84-foot-tall Statue of Ahimsa. The enormous statues of Adinath, Indrajeet, and Kumbhakarna are 25.6 meters tall and are standing in position.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: Open 24 hours
Navagraha Jain Temples, Karnataka
The second-tallest monument in the Jain community, after Bawangaja, is a 61-foot-tall monolithic figure of Parshvanatha situated at the temple. Shri Gangadhar Nandi Maharaj had a significant role in its establishment. When leaving the tapovan flyover exit off the Pune-Bangalore Road near Varur, one can view the Tirthankara statues in Navagraha Teertha from up to 4 km (2.5 mi) on the national highway.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
Nasiyan Digambar Jain Temples, Ajmer
The Rishabhdev-dedicated temple was constructed between 1864 and 1895 AD. Seth Moolchand Soni built this temple, and it also contains a museum and a shrine with wooden representations of Jain mythology.
Entry fee: INR 20
Timings: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Tijara Jain Temples, Rajasthan
A 15-inch (38-cm) white marble statue of Chandraprabhu, the seventh Tirthankara, standing in the lotus position, was placed as the mulnayak of the temple in 1956. The magnificent painting, carvings, and glasswork on the temple walls show various scenarios from the Tirthankaras life and events from Jain legends. Nearby temple structures are the Navagraha Jain Temple and the Padmavati Temple.
Entry fee: Free
Timings: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
FAQs
What is the name of the Jain god?
The very last and 24th Tirthankara in the Jain tradition was named Lord Mahavir. The Gods of Jains are all Tirthankaras.
What is the name of the holy book of Jain?
Agam Sutras or Adams are the sacred books of the Jain religion.
In which state of India are numerous Jain temples situated?
In Gujarat, there are more than 800 Jain temples.
Are Jainism and Buddhism similar?
While Buddhism opposes the concept of a self (jiva) and instead endorses the idea of no self, Jains hold that an eternal Jiva exists.
Which Indian Jain temple is the largest?
The Ranakpur temple, Rajasthan.
