The enchanting history

The renowned Tijara Jain Temple was established in 1956 CE by a local Jain merchant after recovering the idol of Digambar Chandraprabhu, the 8th Tirthankara of Jains during an excavation. Subsequent discovery of other idols too in the same region, reinforced the belief that this place was once a ‘Dehra’, meaning a place of worship for Jains. Also known as a 'place of salvation' and ‘atishay kshetra’ (in Jainism, it connotes an area where miracles take place) owing to the presence of many other ancient Jain temples like the 250-year old temple of Parshavanath and Neminath, Tijara has evolved as a very popular and a sacred Jain pilgrimage site.

A delightful blend of architectural styles

The temple reflects a blend of Jain and Islamic architectural styles. The temple's exterior is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting stories from Jain mythology and life of Tirthankaras, crafted using red sandstone and white marble. Interior of the temple is also adorned with beautifully sculpted idols of Jain Tirthankaras. Digambar Chandraprabhu’s white stone idol is about 15 inches tall and installed in a rectangular temple. The temple hall is spacious enough to accommodate over 2000 people.

A notable feature of the temple complex is its towering 'Manastambha' (column of honour) which is embellished with detailed carvings and sculptures. For the uninitiated, Manastambha is a symbolic structure and an integral part of almost all Jain temples. It underlines the core values of equality and humility which one must embody upon entering a sacred place where worldly distinctions fade away. For the ease of visitors, food is also available in the temple itself and one just needs to pay a token amount. The temple is open for everyone irrespective of their caste, creed and gender. It is popular among tourists and architecture enthusiasts.