Shri Mahavirji
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| Shri Mahavirji Temple | |
|---|---|
Shri Mahavirji Temple, Rajasthan
| |
| Coordinates: | 26°41′43.7″N 76°55′48.78″ECoordinates: 26°41′43.7″N 76°55′48.78″E |
| Location | |
| Country: | India |
| State/province: | Rajasthan |
| District: | Karauli |
| Architecture and culture | |
| Primary deity: | Mahavira |
| Important festivals: | Mahavir Jayanti |
| Date established: | 200 yeats ago |
| Website: | www.mahaveerji.org |
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Shri Mahavir Ji is a famous pilgrimage site Jainism. This temple is situated in Karauli district in Rajasthan.[1] It has a long historical story of its existence.
Contents
[hide]Temples in Shri Mahavirji[2][3][edit]
There are four temples in Shri Mahavirji.
1. Digambar Jain Atishaya Kshetra Shri Mahavirji: Shree Chandanpur Mahavirjee is one of the miraculous pilgrimages of Jains. This pilgrimage situated in Karauli district of Rajasthan is splendoured with natural beauty. 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. This is a sacred place of the Digambar tradition of Jainism.
The idol of Shree Mahaveer, the principal deity of the pilgrimage temple, was found during an excavation. Some 'Kaamduhadhenu' (self milching cow) used to pour out its milk everyday upon a mound near Chandanpur village. It was surprising for the owner of that cow and the villagers. They excavated the mound. The villagers were overwhelmed with emotion on witnessing the emergence of the idol of the Lord. The news of appearance of the idol spread everywhere. The masses surged to have a glimpse. The wishes of people began to be fulfilled and thus a magnificent temple was built to ceremoniously install this uniquely miraculous idol of Lord Mahaveer.
Getting impressed by this miraculous Bhagwan Mahaveer’s idol, Shri Amar Chand Bilala of Baswa (Jaipur) constructed a vast & magnificent temple here.[4] Between 17th and 19th centuries, this temple had been occasionally renovated. In respect of art, the magnificence of this temple is, on the whole, praiseworthy, but in view of its auspiciousness, Mahaveerjee is a pilgrimage without a peer. Millions of devotees visit this temple every year to pay their floral reverence at the feet of the Lord.
Even the royal lineage of Jaipur rulers has been respectful towards this pilgrimage. The kings have been providing grants for the management of this temple. Activities related to the service of humanity have also been performed here.
A marble-umbrella has been built over the spot where the idol had emerged, and a pair of foot-images ('Charan paduka') has been ceremoniously installed to symbolize the Lord's feet. The architecture of the temple is interesting and magnificent. The scenic beauty of the cluster of spires of the temple wins the heart at a single glance.
Drenched in the full moonlight, Chandanpur pilgrimage conveys the message of purity and peace to the humanity at large.
Architecture[5]
The main temple of Shri Mahaverji Atishaya Kshetra is vast & magnificent ornamented with so many pinnacles. This temple is surrounded by Dharmashalas (Guesthouses). The premises of Dharmashalas surrounding the temple is called Katla. In the center of Katla, main temple is situated. The entrance gate of Katla is very attractive and magnificent.
The temple is decorated with three sky high pinnacles. As one enters the main gate, there comes a rectangular ground and then there are seven beautiful gates to enter the Mahamandapa. After entering the temple we found a big shrine before us. An idol of Bhagwan Mahaveer resembling to the miraculous principal deity and two other idols are installed here.
In Garbh Griha (Central Room of Temple), on the main shrine, the miraculous idol of Bhagwan Mahaveer in Padmasana posture, coral colored made of sand stone is installed with Bhagwan Pushp Danta in right side and Bhagwan Adinath’s idol in left side. There are so many agreeable ancient idols of other Teerthankaras, installed in this temple.
Exterior & interior walls of the temple are richly decorated with beautiful carvings and golden paintings to improve the attraction, impression and glory of temple.
16 mythological scenes are carved beautifully on the outer walls of temple. The sculpture of temple shows an exquisite beauty of execution and a high degree of skill.
In the front of main gate of temple a 52 feet high Manastambha (Column of pride) is standing, this is very beautiful and attractive. Four Teerthankar idols are installed at the top of Manstambha in all directions.
2. Shantinath Jinalaya (Temple): Shantinath Jinalaya at Shantiveer Nagar. In this Jinalaya Bhagwan Shantinath’s 28 feet high standing colossus is very beautiful. Idols of 24 Teerthankaras and their Shasan Deotas are also installed here. An attractive sky high Manstambha is also standing here.
3. Kirti Ashram Chaityalaya (Jain Temple): Kirti Ashram Chaityalaya is located in front of Shri Shantinath Jinalaya.
4. Bhagwan Parshvanath Jinalaya: Bhagwan Parshvanath Jinalaya also called ‘Kanch Ka Mandir’ due to a beautiful and attractive glass work is situated in front of Sanmati Sanmati Dharmashala. This temple was constructed by Late Bramhacharini Kamla Bai.
5. Bhavya Kamal Mandir: This is located on the road connecting Shantinath Jinalya and Main Temple.
Discovery of the statue[edit]
There was a cowherd, he used to notice that cow comes home in evening with empty udders. One day he follows the cow and finds that she goes daily to a "Tila" (a small hill of sand) and emptied itself of all the milk she had on the top of that hill. Puzzled with that scene, the cowherd began to dig at that spot and found the statue of Bhagvan Shri Mahavir ji.
The main temple contains the statue of lord Mahavira and few others. The 'Mulnayak pratima' (main statue) is nearly 78 cms high and is made of copper. In this statue lord Mahavira is sitting in padmasana posture.
An annual fair is organized in the temple premise around Mahavir Jayanti (April) which attracts Jains and people from many other communities 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 splendid and colorful Rath Yatra. There are lot many PRAVACHAN from jain Sadhu.[6]
It has a 78 cm high copper-colored idol of Mahavir in the Padmasana posture. About 175 km away from Jaipur it lies on the banks of Gambhiri river. The main attraction of the temple is an imposing 32 ft high image of Lord Shantinath, the 16th Jain tirthankar.
How to reach[edit]
Shri Mahavirji is situated in the Chandanpur village on the bank of the Gambhir river as can be seen from the Map of the area .[7]
By Train: The nearest railway station is Shri Mahabirji (SMBJ), which lies on the Delhi-Mumbai rail line and is located about 7 kilometers away from Shri Mahaveerji.
All the major trains on Delhi-Mumbai line stop here. There are board and lodging provisions all around the temple.[8]
The details of trains connecting Shri Mahavirji, their frequency and their timings are available at Indian Railways website.
By Road: Shri Mahavirji is at a distance of 140 km from Jaipur, 175 km from Agra and 300 km from Delhi.[9]
Best route to reach Shree Mahavirji from Delhi is to take NH8 connecting Rajasthan State Highway 25 and go via Gurgaon, Bhiwadi,Tijara, Alwar, Rajgarh, Bandikui, Sikandara, Gudha, Nadoti. At Nadoti one needs to go off the Rajasthan State Highway 25 towards east to reach Shree Mahavirji which is about 28 km from Nadoti. As of April 2012, except for this last stretch, most of the stretches are toll roads and are very well maintained. Avoid going via Mathura, Baharatpur as the section from Mathura onwards (which is more than 60% of the journey distance from Delhi) is not fully developed.
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