|
|
Digambar Jain Temple
Located just opposite the
massive Red Fort at the intersection of Netaji Subhas Marg and Chandni
Chowk, Digambar Jain Temple is the oldest temple of the Jain religion in
the capital, originally built in 1526. An impressive red sandstone temple
today (the temple has undergone many alterations and additions in the past
and was enlarged in the early 19th century), the Digambar Jain Temple is
popularly known as Lal Mandir.
The main devotional area
of the temple is on the first floor. It is reached by ascending to the
terrace after crossing the small courtyard of the temple, surrounded by
a colonnade. There are a number of shrines in this area but the main shrine
is of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Born in 599 BC in
the ancient republic of Vaishali (Bihar) as a prince, he renounced all
worldly pleasures and comforts and went in search of 'Moksha' (salvation).
Soon he attained keval-jnana (Enlightenment), and spent the rest of his
life preaching to the people all over the country about the eternal truth
of life and ways to attain Moksha. Though some believe that he was the
founder of Jainism but he was in a real sense the reformer of an existing
faith who reorganized and presented the tenets of the religion in a form
suitable to the period.
The statue of Lord Adinath,
the first Tirthankara of the Jain religion is also present here, along
with the shrine of Lord Parasnath, the immediate predecessor of Lord Mahavira.
The temple is quite popular among the people as devotees come and make
offerings such as fruits, grains, rice and even candles. The place is very
peaceful and the ambience is really soothing especially due to the shining
of the gilded paintwork of the shrine area under the lights of butter lamps
and candles.
There is also a bookstore in
the complex where a wide range of literatures on Jainism is available,
apart from unique curios and souvenirs related to the religion. Visitors
should take off their shoes and all other leather goods and hand it to
the concerned person before entering the temple complex.
|
Special Event / Annual Event
The best time to visit the
temple is during Jain festivals, which are characterized by renunciation,
austerities, study of the scriptures, repetition of holy hymns, meditation,
and expressing devotion for the Paramatma. The important festivals of Jains
are Paryushan, Samvatsari, Deepawali and Jnaan Panchami during which the
temple becomes a center of attraction.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni
Chowk, Salimgarh Fort, Kashmeri Gate, St James Church, Dara Shikoh Library,
Lothian Cemetery, and Rajghat |
Nearby Places to Eat
Karim Hotel, Ghantewala
sweet shop, food stalls near Jama Masjid, Paranthewali Gali, Natraj hotel,
Chor Bizarre of Broadway Hotel, Daryaganj's Flora, Peshwari, Moti Mahal
Restaurant, Worker's canteen of Inter-State Bus terminal and many roadside
food stalls are there for refreshment.
Nearby Shopping Venues
Chandni Chowk (curios, souvenirs,
silver and glass bead jewelry) Nai Sarak (books), Chor bazaar (electronic
goods), Daryaganj book market (on Sunday) and Chatta Chowk in Red Fort
(traditional and contemporary jewelry and handicrafts)
.........Back |
