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.

Bhangarah - Tijara Jain Temple - Alwar

Bhangarh
50 Kms. Inside Sariska sanctuary lies the splendid mined town of Bhangarh built in 17th century by RAJA MADHO SINGH brother of RAJA MAN SINGH of Amber its medieval bazaars, the old palace. Someshwar and Gopinath Temples have some fine carvings. According to legend, the town was cursed by an evil magician and had to be abandoned. The curse is still believe.

Tijara Jain Temple
Ancient Jain temple dedicated to the eighth Tirthankar (great - teacher) Shri Chandra Prabhu Bhagwan can be seen here, it has elaborate carvings and paintings, exquisite pillars and arches. Situated 60 Kms on the Alwar Delhi road route, it is an important Jain pilgrimage.
Safari to sariska covering Wild life sanctuary. Historical forts (bhangarh kanwari fort etc) temples (pandupol, nelkanth) and villages.

Bus Rs. 2007-
MiniBusRs.125/-
Jeep/car/gypsy Rs.125/-
Jeeps are available at the RTDC Hotel Tiger Den. Sariska
Jeep / gyps charges Rs.815/- (up to 5 person)
Extra Person Rs.115/- per head
Video Camera fees Rs.200/-
Entry Fees: for Foreigner Rs. 200/-, For Indian Rs.25/-

Source: Rajsthan Tourism

Kamal Basadi of Belgaum

Belgaum is home to many ancient Jain temples. Of them all, KamalBasadi, is definitely worth a visit, writes Naushad Bijapur.

Known as the Sugar Bowl of Karnataka, Belgaum city has an enviableheritage and presents much to be discovered. It lies in the zone ofcultural transition between Kamataka, Maharashtra and Goa with aknown antiquity clearly traceable up to second century AD.This fast developing district headquarters is a picture of contrasts.While on one side is the old town area where cotton and silk weaversstill create the famous sarees, on the other side is the modern,bustling, tree-lined cantonment built by the British. Over severaldecades, monuments of historical importance at the Belgaum cantonmenthave been attracting tourists in large numbers. The Belgaum forttakes center stage, and at the Fort entrance are two shrines, onededicated to Lord Ganapathi, and the other to Goddess Durga.KAMAL BASADI: Within the walls of the fort is Kamal Basadi, ahistoric, Chalukya style Jain temple. A fabulous Neminatha idol inblack stone, found in this temple, is one of the greatest creationsof history. The masterpiece of this temple is the "Mukhamantapa" witha well executed lotus on its ceiling.

For long, Belgaum has been a famous centre for Jains and is home tomany ancient Jain temples. The trend of constructing Jain temples inthis region started during the period of Chalukyas of Kalyana whowere the Chief power in the Deccan from the 10th to 12th century.Innovative builders, their influence continued to inspire the otherdynasties like the Hoysalas, Gangas, Kadambas and Rattas too,resulting in many Jain temples in and around Belgaum.Presently under the jurisdiction of the Archeological Department,Kamal Basdi is so called because of the dome (Gumbaj) of the templewhich is constructed in the form of a lotus made out of 72 petals.The past, present and future 24 Tirthankars of each period are shownon the 72 petals of the lotus flower.

The stone carved Sinhasan of Bhagwan Neminath is very artistic. Thepillars of the temple are decorated with carvings and are brightlypolished. As per historical findings, the idol of Bhagwan Neminathawas found in the forest about 200 years ago. The history of idols andother statues of this temple can be traced back to 11th century AD.Attractive idols of Bhagwan Sumatinath in the kayotsarga posture,idol of Bhagwan Parshwanatha under the shade of seven-hooded Nagaraj,idol of Bhagwan Adinath in the padmasana posture and the idol ofNavagraha can also be seen in this temple.

Raju Doddannavar, a member of the noted Doddannavar family ofBelgaum, which is taking care of Kamal Basadi for almost 100 yearsnow, says, "The prayers at this temple have hardly stopped ever sinceit was built centuries ago. Though the British stopped the pooja atthe temple in the 1940s, my great grandfather Basappa Doddannavar andmy grandfather Ramachandra Doddannavar, used to squeeze into thetemple from one corner to offer prayers.''

He said his was the fourth generation to take care of the temple. TheArchaeological Department took up the total renovation of this templein 1996 and did it without disturbing its original plans and shape.The temple has gained prominence in the recent years owing to thevisit of noted Jain munis. Tarun Sagar Maharaj, a noted Jain saint,often visits the fort locality and gives discourses. The templemanagement has also started constructing a Muni Nivas at the premisesof Kamal Basadi to house Jain swamis.