Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir & Gomateshwara Temple

Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir

Built during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1656, Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is the oldest Jain temple in Delhi. Made in the honor of the 23rd Tirthankara, Parashvanath, the temple is made in red sandstone.

Standing right across the Red Fort, the temple consists of a charitable bird hospital, which has different wards for different species, a research laboratory and an intensive care unit. The hospital came in to being in 1956 and exemplifies one of the basic principles of Jainism, which states that all living beings (no matter how small or insignificant) have a right to freedom.

Location : The Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is an ancient temple dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankara or Lord Parashvanath and is known as the oldest Jain temple in Delhi that lies opposite the famous Red Fort at the junction of Chandni Chowk and Netaji Subhash Marg which is approachable via local transport and the metro link. The Temple was constructed in the year 1656 made of red sandstone and is popularly known by devotees as the Lal Mandir. It is managed by the Shri Agarwala Digambar Jain Panchyat Trust. .

During the Mughal reign Emperor Jahangir was been invited many Jain Fanciers to settle within the Walled City of Shahjahanabad and gifted them with plots of land in south of Chandni Chowk. The Emperor also had allowed them to construct a small Jain Temple and hence the Jain Community acquired marble idols for the temple of which the idol of Lord Parashvanath [23rd Jina] was the primary idol. These three idols were kept in the tent of a Jain Officer who worked under the Mughal Army and when the temple was completed, they were shifted to the temple premise and established by Jivaraj Papriwal under the supervision of Bhattaraka Jinachandra in Samvat. 

The Mughal did not permit the Jain community to construct a Shikhara for the temple hence the temple Shikhara was built only after the Independence of India in 1947 after which the Lal Mandir was extensively renovated. However, the Shikhara for another Jain temple that was located south of Chandni Chowk within the Jain Neighbourhood of Dharamapura was constructed sometime between 1800 and 1807 by Raja Harsukh Rai who was the Imperial Treasurer of the Mughal Emperor after seeking permission. Today, this Temple is known as 'Naya Mandir' or 'New Temple' and it is famous for its intricate carvings and is a must visit. 

 Gomateshwara Temple

Situated in the Shravanabelagola town of Karnataka, Gomateshwara temple is dedicated to Lord Bahubali also known as Gomateshwara. Built in the 10th century it is one of the most important pilgrimage places for Jains. The statue inspires awe among people world over because of its unique structure. Standing at an enormous height of 58.8 ft the idol is carved out of a single granite rock. This monolithic structure stands at such a great height without any external support. The base of the Bahubali idol has got inscriptions written in three different languages – Marathi, Kannada and Tamil.

The most important event occurs in the temple after every 12 years. It is called Mahamastakabhishek and is a very important festival for Jains. In which Lord Bahubali is bathed and smeared with various things like saffron paste, sugarcane, turmeric, milk and vermillion and offered various precious stones and coins (like gold and silver).

Story behind the Shravanabelagola.

Rishaba – Admatha, father of Bahubali, before embarking on his spiritual quest, appointed his son Bharata as the ruler of Ayodhya and Bahubali as the ruler of Paudanapura. Bharata wanted to become the chakravarthi – emperor. But Bahubali did not prefer to surrender before Bharata, as he did not recognize Bharata as Chakravarthi. As such, a war was imminent. The elder statesmen of both sides did not want the war and bloodshed. Hence disarmament was proclaimed. An alternative way of war was evolved and suggested to both the brothers who readily agreed. Accordingly, the two royal brothers went for a dual battle involving three forms dristi yuddha – a contest of staring at each other without closing the eyelids ,jala yuddha – splashing water on each other till one turns his face away and malla yuddha – a wrestling bout. Bahubali overpowered Bharata by winning in all the above forms of battle. Bharata was disappointed and was ffiming with anger. Finally Bharata orders his chakra – a divine wheel – a super weapon to attack Bahubali. The chakra, however circled around Bahubali thrice and stood suspended. It could not do any harm to him!This was the moment of total disillusionment with the futility of material world.

Bahubali was disgusted and realized that anger, greed and pride could lead to such fraternal conflicts. At that stage, without even a moment hesitation renounced his kingdom and all other worldly pleasures and decided to take sanyasa and undertake penance. Bahubali left for meditation and purification of his soul.

Bahubali stood in Kayotsarga (standing) posture in total meditatioti continuously for one year, without food and water. Ant – hills grew by the side of hislegs and serpents made these ant hills as their abode and were moving around Creepers grew up entwining his legs and arms up to his shoulders He attained Kevaljnan – a perfect and complete knowledge about the Universe. Thus, he was called as Bahubali – Kevali. Gommateshwara is another name popularly in use. The joy and bliss he attained is manifested in the benign smile on the face of the colossal image consecrated by Chavundaraya.