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Jain Temples in Jamnagar

Jam Rava Jadeja founded Jamnagar but the city owes its fame and name to Maharaja Kumar Shri  Ranjitsinhji. Not only was he an enlightened ruler but he put Jamnagar on the world cricket map with his extraordinary prowess. Jamnagar, a port city, has always been a center of trade and where there is trade Jains invariably are to be found. Wherever Jains establish communities, they build temples or derasars. Jamnagar is no exception.  Though there are many temples the most famous Jain temples in Jamnagar worth a look are the Shantinath Derasar and Vardhman Shah Jain Derasar. Of even more value to Jains the world over is the Jamnagar tirth or the pilgrimage place for Jains with 14 splendid temples. Six of these temples are known as Sheth temples.

Jain Temples in Jamnagar

Jamnagar Tirth or Adinath Derasar

This umbrella term covers 14 temples dating back hundreds of years. Shri Anand Sheth laid the foundation stone of this temple somewhere around 1633 AD during the rule of Jam Sataji. Shri Vijayadevasuri and Padamsinh Sheth installed the beautifully carved idol of Shri Adinath Bhagvan as the Mulnayaka of the temple. The temple is a marvel with intricately carved colonnades and a wonderful sculpted mandap. You will also find a shrine dedicated to Shri Neminath Bhagvan, with a finely carved stone mandap. This is the most prominent shrine. In all there are 52 shrines in the complex. The entire complex is huge, has innumerable fine carvings and shows the religious fervor of Jains. It is easy to find the complex simply by asking for the location of Jain Derasar Chowk.

Shantinath Jain Derasar

This famous temple was built mainly to attract followers to Jain religion. The famous, intricately carved temple in marble is located near Bedi Gate in Jamnagar. The inner mandap is decorated with gold inlay and in its various chambers visitors get a glimpse of elaborately patterned marble flooring and mirrored ceilings. Today it is a place of pilgrimage and busloads of Jain pilgrims arrive for a darshan of the 16th Jain tirthankara, Shantinath. Apart from the carvings what strikes the eye is multicolored murals on the walls depicting saints and their lives. Even the  floor is painted in patterns using yellow, white, black and red. You can get to Bedi Gate by going across Indira Gandhi Road and MP College.

Vardhman Shah Jain Derasar

Construction work of the Vardhman Shah Jain Mandir started during the rule of Jam Jasaji I in 1612. The work was completed in 1620.  This derasar is dedicated to tirthankar Adinath and is not quite as elaborate as the others when it comes to carving. It makes up by abundant use of vibrantly colored murals. The complex has a main shrine and about 52 small shrines surrounding it. These small shrines were constructed about two years later.

Raisi Shah Jain Temple

The Raisi Shah Jain temple in Jamnagar is equally famous and a popular pilgrimage place for Jains. Following the traditions, it is made of carved marble columns supporting a central mandap and the hall, a beautiful sight.

In addition to these oldest Jain Derasars there are a number of other Jain temples such as the Shankheshwar Parshwanath Jain Derasar in Patel Colony, Mahavir Swami Jain Derasar in Park Colony and the Digamber Jain Derasar near Khambhalia Naka on Arya Samaj Road. In all there are more than 30 jain temples in Jamnagar.


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