Distance : 110km from Sawai Madhopur
¤ Jain Temple Attraction
*This temple is an amalgamation of
ancient and modern Jain architecture -
quite contemporary in design, unlike the
ancient Jain temples which were highly
ornamented and richly carved.
*It is a complex of smaller temples with
the main temple having idols of Jain
saints, placed within delicately carved
pillared niches.
*The temple is a vast complex costructed
with white sandstone, and has cupolas of
red sandstone along with the chhatris &
spires visible from all around.
*A huge statue of Shantinath, one of the
Jain fordmakers, stands as high as 32
feet and there is a tower where the
footsteps of Mahavira have been
consecrated.
*It is a spendid sight to view the
temple at night when lights illuminate
the entire complex. The best time to
visit is March-April.
¤ Main Jain
Pilgrimage Center
The town of Sri Mahavirji is one the
most popular Jain pilgrimages in India
for here is one of the holiest Jain
temples in Rajasthan. The Shri Mahavirji
temple on the banks of the river Gambhir
was built in white marble in honour of
Mahavira, the 24th Jain
saint. The temple has a nice legend
attached to it. The story goes that a
couple of centuries ago there was a cow
which would leave home in the morning
and return in the evening. Nothing wrong
with that, but when it did come home its
uddurs would be empty. To solve this
mystery, the cow’s owners son followed
it one day and discovered that the
animal stopped at a particular stop and
emptied itself of all the milk it had.
Intrigued, the cowherd began to dig at
this spot and discovered a statue of
Mahavir.
¤ The Interiors
Perched on a raised white marble
platform, the Mahavirji temple is an
amalgamation of ancient and modern Jain
architecture. While ancient Jain temples
were highly ornamated and richly carved,
the Mahavirji temple is contemporary in
design. Like most Jain temples, this one
too is a complex of smaller temples.
Inside the main temple are seated idols
of Jain saints, placed within delicately
carved pillared nichés.
¤ The Deity
A huge statue of Shantinath, one of the
Jain fordmakers, stands as high as 32
feet, casting a noble eye on disciples
below. Nearby is a tall tower crowned
with a balcony. But perhaps the most
splendid aspect of the temple is when
night descends. Thousands of lights
illuminate the entire complex, making it
seems like a festival of lights in
itself. The best time to visit Sri
Mahavirji is during march and April when
a festival adds to its splendour.
