Jain Temple, Kolkata – Kolkata’s Gaudiest Religious Place
Jain Temple, also known as the Parshwanath Temple, is a major tourist attraction of Kolkata mainly for its grand looks adorned with lavish decorations in high quality like mirrors and glasses. The temple is not only known for its enchanting beauty but also for its spiritual ambience attracting a number of devotees.Jain Temple – A Quick Glance
Famous for: Gaudy exteriors, lavish interiors, and serene ambience
Opening hours: 6:00am - 7:00pm
Visit duration: 1-2 hours
Best time to visit: Mornings and evenings between October and March
Built in: 1867
Built by: Ray Badridas BahadurMookim
Jain Temple – An Overview
The Jain Temple, Kolkata was built in 1867 by Ray Badridas Bahadur Mookim and is flocked by thousands of devotees every year. Jain Temple, Kolkata is one of the most revered and holy shrines for the Jains in Kolkata.The temple is devoted to the main deity Pareshnath who was the 23rd Jain Tirthankar. Besides the Jain Temple, there are four more temples within the complex devoted to four different holy preachers or Avatars as considered by the Jains. The temple complex comprises of four temples and the main shrine is dedicated to the 10th Jain Avatar named Sri Sital Nath Ji.
Shitalnath Ji Temple, Chandraprabhu Ji temple, Mahavir Swami Temple, and Dadawadi and Kushal Ji Maharaj Temple are the four main temples where the main worship rituals are practiced and it is believed that the footprint of Jain Acharya Jin Dutt Kushal Suri is kept here.
Towards the south of the temple of Sri Sitala Nath Ji is the shrine of Sri Chanda Prabhujidev which was built in the year 1895 by Ganeshlal Kapoorchand Jahar.
Jain Temple – The Religious Angles
The main Jain Temple is named Prayushan. Here a grand festival is celebrated in the month of Bhadrav by the Jains to preach Ahimsa (peace). The recitations of scriptures are performed during the festival and several charities are also done by the devotees. Samvatsari observes as the last day of the festival.The idol of Lord Shitalnath Ji is placed in the sanctum sanctorum. It is the forehead of the idol studded with diamonds which happens to be one of the major attractions. There are other idols too beautifully bejewelled with precious metals and semi-precious stones.
Jain Temple: The Complex and the Deities
The complex of the Jain Temple is subdivided into 4 temples, each with different deities and idols inside.• Shitalnath Ji Temple: Mulnayak, Shitalnath Bhagwan.
• Chandraprabhu Ji temple: Mulnayak, Chandraprabhuswami Bhagwan.
• Mahavir Swami Temple: Mulnayak, Sri Mahavir Swami.
• Dadawadi : Footprints of Jain Acharya Jin Dutt Kushal Suri
Jain Temple: A Wonderful Rendezvous Inside
The complex of the Jain Temple is a beautiful arrangement of Jain shrines pulling devotees and tourists from all over the world. The architecture of the temples consists of intricately carved marbles and glasswork that gives it an extremely royal and charismatic vibe. More than being just a religious retreat, the temple complex often serves as a recreational one because of its overall structure and architecture.Ornamented with intricate designs, the structure is mostly made in marble carved with floral designs and has perfectly decorated gateways, walls, pillar and floors. The interiors of the Jain Temple, Kolkata have spectacular chandeliers and paintings adding to the overall beauty of the place.
The Overall Complex
The complex stretches over a vast piece of land and is covered with well-maintained gardens and fountains. The gardens are clean and visually pleasing with flower beds, fountains, and a reservoir that houses colourful fishes and an enticing stream flowing through it.There is a small pond housing colourful marine life and covering the entire area surrounded by flowerbeds, inside the premises of the Pareshnath Jain Temple. The garden inside the temple is extremely colourful and serene with glass mosaic blocks and exquisite statues to complete the overall look.
There are thirteen marble stairs that one has to climb to reach the veranda of the Jain Temple. There is a museum as well as a comfortable greeting room inside the complex to welcome the visitors in the temple.
Facts about Jain Temple
• There is a lamp that has been burning continuously ever since the initiation of the temple since 1867. The lamp burns with ghee inside the sanctum sanctorum and bears silent testimony to the contemporary world since ages. It is an amazing experience to acknowledge the mysticism that the lamp reflects.• Paryushan, a grand festival of the Jains, is celebrated in Bhadrav month between 16th August and 15th September.
• Preaching Ahimsa or peace is the prime motive of the Jain Avatars and the same is reflected at every corner of the complex.
• The temple is committed to charitable deeds.
• It is the beautiful mirrors, multi-hued stones, and glass-made mosaics that add to the architectural marvel of the overall structure attracting more tourists and devotees.
• The main temple is devoted to the 10th Jain Avatar, Sri Sital Nath Ji, whose grand idol is placed inside the temple donning a diamond-studded forehead.
How to Reach the Jain Temple, Kolkata
The Jain Temple is located around 7km (4.3mi) from the main city of Kolkata. The temple is accessible from roads and lanes like Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road or BidhanSarani or Raja Ram Mohan Sarani. You may avail public buses, taxis, app cabs, rickshaws and Tuk-Tuks to reach the temple complex. The famous tram service is also well-connected in the city and you can avail the same to reach the roads leading to the Jain Temple.Some routes to take while planning to visit the Jain Temple, Kolkata:
Via Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road (APC Road): Surya Sen Street - Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road – Nerode Behari Mullick Road - Badridas Temple Street (exact location of the temple). Via BidhanSarani: Mahatma Gandhi Road - BidhanSarani and Vivekananda Road - NerodeBehariMullick road - Badridas Temple Street (exact location of the temple). Via Raja Ram Mohan Sarani: Start from Surya Sen Street and head to Mohan Sarani - NerodeBehariMullick Road in Maniktala - Badridas Temple Street (exact location of the temple).The Jain Temple is a pure bliss to visit and to treat your soul and eyes with. The beauty of the complex and the temple as a whole, and the solitude that the ambience offers are something one shouldn’t miss to experience. The Jain Temple, Kolkata must be in your must-visit list for the obvious reasons mentioned.