Shri Mahaveer Ji temple

Introduction to the Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple

Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple is in Shri Mahaveerji town, Hindaun Block, Karauli district, Rajasthan. It is 110 Km away from Sawai Madhopur city. This small village was earlier known as Chandanpur. The place became famous after the excavation of the ancient Mahaveer statue several hundred years ago. Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple was built 200 years after the excavation. Hordes of devotees visit the temple for peace and solitude. Thus, the Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple is of special significance to people who follow the tradition of Digambar in Jainism.

Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple is a sacred pilgrimage site in Rajasthan dedicated to the 24th Tirthankara Mahavir. The temple attracts people from all over the world, irrespective of class, caste, and creed.

Legend of the Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple

According to legends, while Amar Chand Bilala was trying to move Mahaveer's statue on a chariot to the temple constructed a few yards from the excavation site, the chariot did not move. He prayed for the chariot to move. The deity replied that the chariot would move if Krapa Ram, a dairy farmer who was the main reason for the excavation, would push the cart.

At the excavated site, a small shrine, chharan chatri, representing the footprint of the deity, was constructed. The family of Krapa Ram still manages the shrine.

History of the Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple

In the 17th century, a Jain merchant named Shri Amar Chand Bilala, who had discovered the Mahaveer's statue, built the Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple.

The Architecture of the Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple

Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple is huge and grand, with three tall Shikharas. It displays the Nagara architecture style and is surrounded by Dharamshalas (guest houses). The complex of Dharamshalas is called Katla. The main temple is in the center of Katla. The entrance of Katla is grand and attractive. The main gate entrance is on a rectangular ground. Seven beautiful gates precede the Maha Mandapam. Visitors can see a big temple at the Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple's entrance. A statue of Mahavira, resembling the main deity, and two other statues are installed there.
Visitors can see the 2.56-foot statue of Mahavira in Padmasana posture carved out of coral-colored sandstone in the sanctum. Mahavira graces devotees with Pushpadant on the right and Adinath on the left. Visitors can also see many ancient statues of other Tirthankaras installed in this Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple.

Beautiful carvings adorn the interior and exterior walls of the temple, and golden paintings of scenes from Mahavira's and Parshvanatha's lives improve its impression, charm, and glory.
Carvings of sixteen mythological scenes adorn the outer walls of the Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple. The sculptures exhibit exquisite craftsmanship.

There is a 52-foot-high Manasthambha (pillar of pride) in front of the main gate of the Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple. Four Tirthankara symbols are etched at the top of Manasthambha.
After 24 years, Mahamastakabhisheka (Grand Consecration) was organized here in 2022, and a 24-foot statue of Mahavira was installed.

Festivals in the Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple

Shri Mahaveer Ji Temple organizes an annual fair in April near the Mahavir Jayanti festival, which attracts thousands of Jains and other community people. This five-day fair starts two days before Mahavir Jayanti and ends two days after the festival. It ends with a Rath Yatra pulled by a bullock cart. Many monks and Jain Sadhus deliver religious discourses during this fair.