When we speak about Jain temples in Delhi everyone speaks about the Lal Mandir and Chandni Chowk and the idol of Lord Mahavir at Mehrauli. Not many are aware about the 5 Jain temples in old Delhi that are known for their uniqueness in terms of their antiquity, grandeur and unique gold paintings. One such temple is the Digambar Jain Bada Mandir.
Temple Name : Sri Digambar Jain Bada Mandir
Temple Type : Digambar Temple
Main Deity : About 2 feet high black coloured idol of Bhagwan Parshwanath.
Temple History : The two-storyed temple was built between 1828-1834 by Indraraj Ji. The attractively carved wooden door that leads us to the canopy with an attractively carved dome in the first floor. First floor has marble Shahjahani fluted columns.
In all it has 5 vedhis, the main deities are as below –
- 6 inches high Metal idol of Lord Adinath in padmasana and other Trithankar idols.
- About 1 feet high marble idol of Lord Adinath in padmasana and other Trithankar idols.
- About 1 feet high black colored stone idol of Lord Parshwanath in Padmasana, a couple of metal idols and a metal idol of 24 Tirthankaras.
- About 1 feet high marble idol of Lord Parshwanath in padmasana and other Trithankar idols.
- Main deity – About 2 feet high black coloured stone idol of Lord Adinath in padmasana posture inside a mantapa on a attractively carved platform.
Gold Art Wall Paintings – The temple has elaborate wall paintings dating back to early 1800’s. The wall paintings are related to various aspects of Jainism and are of Gold art. The different paintings found in this temple are as below –
- Namokara Mantra
- Janmakalyana of Tirthanakar along with Pandukashila Abhisheka
- Panchakalyanas of Tirthankar
- Attractively dome in the sanctum santorum above the main deity.
- Mukthagiri
- Beenabara
- Sonagiri
- Rajgiri
- Mangi Tungi