Sri Mahavirji Temple

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.

Nandgiri: A Jain Cave Temple in Maharashtra

Nandgiri, also known as Kalyangad, is a fort situated in Satara District of Maharashtra. This fort was built by the Shilahar King Bhoj II in early 13th century. He built 16 forts in total in western Maharashtra.

The Shilahar Dynasty was follower of Jainism. This dynasty ruled all over the south Maharashtra and North Karanatka between 11th to 13th Centuries. King Bhoj II was disciple of Jain Acharya Maghnandi. Acharya Maghnandi was his spiritual and political Guru. The Kings, Queens and Generals of this dynasty were staunch Jains and promoted Jainism in their region.

After decline of Shilahar Dynasty, the Nandgiri fort was captured by Adilshah of Bijapur. The fort was taken back by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1673 A.D. As this fort was very difficult to climb, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's treasury was kept on this fort.

On Nandgiri hill, there is a big cave. There is a big lake filled with clear water in the cave. An ancient idol of Shree Parshwanath Swami is situated on one side of the lake in the cave.

A big number of devotee Jains come here for darshan. Mostly they are from western and southern Maharashtra. This place is almost unknown to Jains in other parts of India.

In 1930, Shri. Hirachand Shaha constructed a railing in the cave, which helps us to reach to the idol. Shri 1008 Parshwanath Digambar Jain Gupha Mandir Trust is developing this Shrine. Dr. Vijay Shaha is the President of the trust and Mr. Vijaykumar Randive is the secretary. The trust is running a high school for village children.

I was fortunate enough to visit this shrine with Shri Shirish Shaha (Satara), Dilip Khobare (Pune) and Abhishek Jain Shastri (Sagar). To climb the 3557 feet high hill and to enter in the dark cave, and again to climb down was a thrilling experiment. I think that every Jain should visit this shrine at least once in the life.

You can easily go to the hill by road from Satara, as there is a tar road. Satara is about 110 Km. From Pune. Nandgiri is about 25 Km. far from Satara. You can reach Satara by road/train from Pune and Mumbai. You should start to climb the hill early in the morning or before 3.00 P.M. Climbing on the hill, taking darshan in the cave and then coming back takes 3 hours. It is very difficult to climb down the hill in dark, so you should start early to climb down if you start climbing up after 2.00 P.M. You must have a battery while you visit the cave.

You can stay at Shree Parshwanath Digambar Jain Sanskritik Bhavan, Opp. Ajinkya Colony, Sadar Bazar, Satara 415 002 before going to the hill.

Contact details for more information:
Dr. Vijay Shaha, 170 Sadashiv Peth, Satara 415002
Phone: 0216 2244236

(c) M.S. Chavan