Shri Mahavir Ji Temple, Karauli
Jain temples are some of the most famous temples in Rajasthan. One of these is Shri Mahavir Ji Temple, located in the Karauli district in Rajasthan. However, even though the name may suggest otherwise, there are five temples in this temple complex. Each is as grand and splendid as the other in terms of architecture and magnificence. The five temples are Atishaya Kshetra Shri Mahavirji, Bhagwan Parshvanath Jinalaya, Shantinath Jinalaya and Kirti Ashram Chaityalaya. There is something special about each of these temples. At the Atishaya Kshetra Temple, the Manastambha, also known as the Column of Pride, is the main attraction. Standing at almost 52ft, it is topped by Tirthankaras staring in four directions. The Bhagan Jinalaya Temple is also called kaanch ka mandir (temple of mirrors), because of its spectacular mirror work. The Shantinath Jinalaya is most famous for its 32 ft statue of Shantinath (the 16th Jain Tirthankar).
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.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 (transl. Grand Consecration) is being organised here after 24 years and a 24 feet (7.3 m) statue of Mahavira has been installed here.
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.
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.
