Jain temple, Kundalpur (Bihar)

Not to be confused with Kundalpur.

Jain temple, Kundalpur is a complex of six Jain temples located in Kundalpur village near Nalanda, Bihar. Kundalpur is one of the most important Jain pilgrimages in Bihar.

Jain temple, Kundalpur
Kundalpur Jain temple
Religion
Affiliation	Jainism
Deity	Mahavira
Festivals	Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
Governing body	Bhagwan Mahavira Janmabhoomi Kundalpur Digambar Jain Samiti
Location
Location	Kundalpur, Nalanda, Bihar
Geographic coordinates	25°8′52.8″N 85°26′40.7″E
Architecture
Creator	Gyanmati
Date established	2003
Temple(s)	6

History

Kundalpur was an ancient capital city ruled by the Licchavi. Kundalpur is believed to be the birthplace of Mahavira, the 24th tirthankara of Jainism.^[1][2][3] This place is also believed to birthplace of four of the eleven Ganadhara of Mahavira,^[4] including Gautama Swami.

Architecture

The ancient Jain temple called Simhamukhi Teela is located near Nalanda and houses a 4.5 feet (1.4 m) idol of Mahavira.^[5] The temple houses a number of Jain artifacts.^[6] The new temple complex, located 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from the ancient temple, consists of five temples.^[4] The temple is constructed using stones from Jaisalmer housing idols of Mahavira, Rishabhanatha and Gautama Swami.^[5][7][8] In Kundalpur temple complex, a total of 72 idols of Tirthankaras are installed in a separate temples.^[3]

The temple also has a dharamshala equipped with all modern facilities, including Bhojanalaya (a restaurant).^[3]

Kundalpur is one of the most important Jain pilgrimage centres of Bihar and proposed to be developed as part of the Jain circuit.^[9][10]

Gallery

• 
  3.4 metres (11 ft) idol of Mahavira
• 
  Mural of Nandyavrat Mahal temple
• 
  Rishabhanatha idol inside Rishabhanatha temple

Festival

Kundalpur Mahotsav is the main festival celebrated in here, the event is organised on the day of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak.^[11][10][12]

See also

• Pawapuri
• Rajgir