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Indraprastha Tirth Jain Swetamber
Temple |
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| Near Kinari Bazaar at the end of Naughara Gali
amidst colorfully painted houses (especially their facades)
lies the other Jain temple of the walled city known as Johari
temple but belonging to the other sect of Jainism, Swetamber.
This sect believes that salvation or moksha can be achieved
while wearing clothes (only white) unlike the other sect who
believes that a person should not wear clothes and be sky-clad
in order to achieve moksha. |
| Though additions were in different periods, this
ancient temple is said to predate every other structures in
Delhi. It belongs to the period of Pandavas, the heroes of the
Indian epic Mahabharta who were the devoted followers of Lord
Neminath Bhagwan. |
| The devotional area of this white marble double
storeyed temple is on the first floor. The unique attraction
of it is a remarkably different carved black image of Lord Parasnath,
the 23rd Tirthankara made up of the rare 'kasauti' stone. It
is placed on a marble pedestal, covered by an ornately carved
golden canopy. The main shrine area has images of Lord Sumatinath,
the 5th Tirthankara, Lord Adinath the first Tirthankaras and
Lord Ajitnath along with the images of other Tirthankaras around
the temple. The interior of the temple has decorative arched
entrances and intricate paintings adorned with solid gold filigree
work. |
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| Apart from these, the visitors should not miss
the two silver locked gates in the temple. The first silver
gate at the top of staircase has a stone, representing Lord
Bhaironji, who keeps evil forces away. The face of the stone
is made up of silver and has a gold crown kept under a golden
canopy. The other silver gate has small images of Tirthankaras
bedecked with precious gems and stones. |
| The other attractions of this splendid house
of worship are the glass mosaic describing the life of Lord
Mahavira and some beautiful mural paintings of dancers and musicians
on the second floor resembling to the Mughal style of painting. |
| Managed by Shri Jain Swetamnia Temples &
Paushal Charitable Trust, the temple also has a small museum
functioning at the ground floor. The museum houses rare manuscripts,
old miniature paintings in gold and several objects made up
of pure silver and copper. |
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