8 Jain Temples In India That You Can Visit. See Pics

One of the first religions to have its origins in India is Jainism. Jain temples, however, are much more than simply houses of worship for their architecture is unmatched by any other.

8 Jain Temples In India That You Can Visit. See Pics

Lal Mandir- Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is oldest Jain Temple in old Delhi, dedicated to the Tirthankara or Lord Parashvanath. It is located opposite Red Fort and is one of the best-known Jain Temples in India. (Image Source: Getty)

Gomateshwara Statue- The Gommatesvara monument, which is the tallest monolithic statue in the world, was erected in the 10th century by Chamundaraya, the commander of King Rajamalla of the Ganga dynasty. The statue of Lord Bahubali highlights the temple. Inscriptions at the base of the statue are written in Tamil and Kannada. The statue is bathed in milk, saffron, ghee, and curd during the Mahamastakabhisheka festival, which is held once every 12 years. (Image Source: Getty)

Dilwara Jain Temple- It is situated in Mount Abu and is renowned for its amazing architecture and magnificent marble stone carvings. The Dilwara Temple consists of five equally fascinating temples: tVimal Vasahi, Luna Vasahi, Pittalhar, Parshavanatha and Mahavir Swami Temple dedicated to Lord Adinath, Lord Rishabhdeo, Lord Neminath, Lord Mahavir Swami and Lord Parshvanath respectively. The most well-known of these five are Vimal and Luna Vasahi. Each of these temples features a central hall called a Rang Mandap, an inner sanctum called a Garbhagraha where the Lord lives, and a group of nine elaborately adorned ceilings called a Navchowki. Kirthi Stumbh and Hathishala are a couple of other buildings that can bind spells. Dilwara Temple conveys Jain beliefs and tenets through its austerity and simplicity. (Image Source: Getty)

Sonagir Temple- One of the most well-known locations for Jain temples in India is Sonagir. The little hills are dotted with 84 Jain temples that date back to the ninth and tenth centuries. It is a well-known location for penance, and it is believed that around 5.5 billion saints have attained Nirvana there. It is said that the hill on which these temples are erected was once made of gold. According to Jain philosophy, it is a place where 'Samavsharan' of eighth Tirthankara Chandraprabhu had arrived. (Image source: Getty)

Ranakpur Jain Temple- Adinath, who according to Jain cosmology was the first Tirthankar of the current half-cycle or 'avasarpi', is worshiped in the temple. The temple complex, which has a total of four shrines, was constructed in the 15th century during the reign of the Rajput king Rana Kumbha. Dhanna Shah, a local Jain businessman who had a divine vision, started building the temple. The Ranakpur Temple's architectural design and stone sculptures are modelled after the historic Mirpur Jain Temple at Mirpur, Rajasthan. (Image Source: Getty)

Palitana Temples- These are one of the holiest Jain pilgrimage sites, contains a staggering 3000 intricately carved temples. These temples, which date back to the eleventh century, are found on the Shatrunjaya hills. A stairway of 3,800 stone steps must be climbed in order to get to the complex, which is a challenging task, yet this does not stop thousands of worshippers from flocking there every year. One of the most important Jain temples in India, they are devoted to the Svetambara Jains. (Image Source: Getty)

Shikharji Temple- Located in Giridih district of Jharkhand, Shikharji etymologically means 'Peak of concentration'. At this place, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras attained Nirvana, making it a place of utmost spiritual value. (Image Source: Getty)

Ellora Jain Caves- The magnificent Ellora Jain caves, are embellished with intricate sculptures and paintings. The caves, which were expertly created in the ninth century, commemorate the final stage of Ellora's religious and spiritual activities. The group of five caverns, which range in number from 30 to 34, is situated a kilometre away from Cave 29, the final Hindu temple, out of which Cave 31 is a four-pillared structure where an idol of Mahavira is enshrined. The carvings of Parshvanatha guarded by yaksha and the figure of Bahubali can be seen on both sides of the walls. (Image Source: Getty)