Mahavirji Temple, Hindaun City

Shri Mahaveer Ji temple is in Karauli district in Rajasthan, India and is 110 km from Sawai Madhopur town. Earlier known as Chandanpur, this small village became famous as a Jain religious site after an ancient idol of Mahaveer was excavated from its soil several hundred years ago. It was then renamed as Shri Mahaveer Ji This idol was excavated over 200 years ago from the same spot, after which the temple was constructed. Thousands of worshipers flock from across India to catch a glimpse of this famous statue.

Symbol of emotional integration Digambar Jain Atishaya Kshetra Shri Mahaveer Ji is a holy place of pilgrimage in Rajasthan. It is dedicated to Lord Mahaveer, the 24th Tirthankar. Shri Mahaveer ji draws people of all classes, creeds and communities from all over the world. Thousands of pilgrims throng here every day to have Darshan of Lord Mahaveer and offer prayers for attaining peace and solace. The devotees who come here experience eternal happiness and self-contentment, which is unique in itself.

Mahavirji Temple, Hindaun City;

Temple History
Legend
Architecture
How To Reach The Temple
Daily Poojas And Festivals
Additional Information

Shri Mahavir Ji is a famous Jain pilgrimage site. This temple is situated in Hindaun Block in Karauli district in Rajasthan. It has a long historical story of its existence.
The Mahavirji temple is located in an enclosure known as ‘Katala’ and houses the image of Mahavir Swami believed to have been dug out by a leather worker from ‘Devta-Ka-Tila’, a nearby hillock. The temple also has images of other Jain tirthankaras and the idol of Bhairon is installed as the guardian of the shrine at the door. There is a ‘Man- Stambha’ (tower of glory) made of marble in front of the temple.

There was a Gurjar man who began to notice that one of his cows would come home in evening with empty udders. One day, he decided to follow the cow and finds that she goes daily to a “Tila” (a small hill of sand) and emptied herself of all the milk she had on the top of that hill. Puzzled by this scene, the man began to dig at that very spot and unearthed the statue of Bhagvan Shri Mahavir ji.
The main temple contains the statue of lord Mahavira and few others. The ‘Mulnayak pratima’ (main statue) is nearly 78 cms high and is made of copper. In this statue lord Mahavira is sitting in padmasana posture.
An annual fair is organized in the temple premise around Mahavir Jayanti (April) which attracts Jains and people from many other communities and religions in a great number. The fair is for five days (starts 2 days prior to Mahavir Jayanti and end two days post Mahavir Jayanti) and ends with a splendid and colorful Rath Yatra. Many Jain sadhus or monks deliver religious discourses during this fair.
It has a 78 cm high copper-colored idol of Mahavir in the Padmasana posture. About 175 km away from Jaipur it lies on the banks of Gambhiri river. The main attraction of the temple is an imposing 32 ft high image of Lord Shantinath, the 16th Jain tirthankar.

The main temple of Shri Mahaverji Atishaya Kshetra is vast & magnificent ornamented with so many pinnacles. This temple is surrounded by Dharmashalas (Guesthouses). The premises of Dharmashalas surrounding the temple are called Katla. In the center of Katla, main temple is situated. The entrance gate of Katla is very attractive and magnificent.
The temple is decorated with three sky high pinnacles. As one enters the main gate, there comes a rectangular ground and then there are seven beautiful gates to enter the Maha mandapa. After entering the temple we found a big shrine before us. An icon of Bhagwan Mahaveer resembling to the miraculous principal deity and two other icons are installed here.
In Garbh Griha (Central Room of Temple), on the main shrine, the miraculous icon of Bhagwan Mahaveer in Padmasana posture, coral colored made of sand stone is installed with Bhagwan Pushp Danta in right side and Bhagwan Adinath’s icon in left side. There are so many agreeable ancient icons of other Teerthankaras, installed in this temple.
Exterior & interior walls of the temple are richly decorated with beautiful carvings and golden paintings to improve the attraction, impression and glory of temple.
16 mythological scenes are carved beautifully on the outer walls of temple. The sculpture of temple shows an exquisite beauty of execution and a high degree of skill.
In the front of main gate of temple a 52 feet high Manastambha (Column of pride) is standing, this is very beautiful and attractive. Four Teerthankar icons are installed at the top of Manstambha in all directions.

Shri Mahavirji Temple is situated at the Chandanpur village on the bank of the Gambhir river in Hindaun.

By Road: The nearest Major bus stand is Hindaun City Bus Depot is located 18 kilometers away from Shri Mahaveerji. Shri Mahavirji is at a distance of 140 km from Jaipur, 175 km from Agra and 300 km from Delhi.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Shri Mahaveer Ji (SMBJ), which lies on the Delhi-Mumbai rail line and is located about 7 kilometers away from Shri Mahaveerji. All the major trains on Delhi-Mumbai line stop here. There are board and lodging provisions all around the temple.

By Air: The Temple can be reached through nearest Jaipur Airport (160 Km) which is well connected with regular domestic flights to Delhi, Mumbai.

Note: Best route to reach Shree Mahavirji from Delhi is to take NH8 connecting Rajasthan State Highway 25 and go via Gurgaon, Bhiwadi, Tijara, Alwar, Rajgarh, Bandikui, Sikandara, Gudha, Nadoti.

The temple is maintained by the chief priest called ‘Bhattarak’ and assisted by ‘Brahmacharis’. These members of the Jain community conduct various rites and rituals. The pilgrims gather at the temple to worship, meditate and seek the blessings of the saint with folded hands. The image of Mahavirji is washed early in the morning, the ritual being called ‘prakshalan’. This is followed by ‘pujan’ and ‘ashta-argha’ (eight oblations). In the evening, ‘aarti’ is performed. Ghee lamps are lit and the offerings comprise of rice, white and yellow flowers, sandalwood, camphor, saffron, ‘mishri’ (crystallised sugar), and dry fruits.

THE RATH YATRA
The fair of Mahavirji reaches its peak on Baisakh Krishna Dwitiya when the image of the deity is taken to the bank of river Gambhiri in a grand procession for ‘Kailash Abhishek’. The golden chariot (Rath) is drawn by bullocks. Four persons wave ‘chanvars’ (fly- whisks) over the image and the site resounds with “bhajans” and religious songs with intermittent slogans of ‘Shri Mahavir Swami-Ki-Jai’. After the ceremony, the procession returns with the same grandeur and the image is restored at the ‘vedi’ of the temple.

Other places which are worth visiting in Karauli district:
• Kedar Nath Cave and Temple: This is the original temple of Kaila Devi. This place was declared unsafe due to threat from the animals in jungle of the Ranthambore. This is situated 3 km from the town. Devotees can walk there for the pray.
• Ranthambore Sanctuary: Kaila devi is connected to one side of the century. which has an entrance from this town.
• Shri Mahavirji Temple: This is a Famous Jain Temple which is around 45 km from the town.
• Mehandipur Balaji Temple: This is a temple of Lord Hanuman situated at a distance of around 95 km from the town.
• Barbasin Temple: This is a Barbasin Devi Temple which is situated at a distance of 13 km at the banks of Kalisil River.

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Mahavirji Temple, Hindaun City