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4.6.9 Nawada
Historical Background
This place is on Patna-Ranchi road towards Biharsharif. This holy place is considered as salvation (Nirvana) place of Gautam Gandharva. The Sidha Kshetra have one Digamber Jain Temple, manastambha, one Swetamber Jal Mandir and rest house. This place has therefore special significance and attraction for Jain pilgrims all over the world.
4.6.9.1 Sri Digmabar Jain Sidha Kshsetra, Gunawaji
Location: Gunawa ji, Nawada
Date of Construction: Jalmandir (1876's) and Temple (1880's) Temple Type - Sri Jal Mandir and Sri Mahavir swami temple
Plate Number: - LIX (A) and LIX (B)
Architectural Features of the Temple
There are two important temple is at this sidhha kshetra. One is Jal mandir with the totally dome superstructure placed in a centre of the pond. The temple has single entry square garbhagriga of size 8'-0" X 8'-0" with the three sitting posture vedi of Tirthankars. There is circumambulatory path around the garbhagriha. The total height of temple is 17'-6". The temple is constructed with brick and lime mortar and finished in decorative plaster.
The second temple is adjacent to Jal mandir and has sitting posture vedi of Lord Sri Mahavira. The size of garbhagriha is square (10'-0" X 10'-0") with three side openings. There is a mandapam hall of size 20'-0" X 28'-0". The top had octagonal pyramidical shikhara. There is a manastambha in the front of temple of height 31'-6".
The third temple is of Gautam Swami in the same campus of octagonal in plan with circumambulatory path. The top of temple has dome with the lotus petals. All these temples are constructed with brick and lime mortar and finished in decorative plaster.
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