All India Jain Temples and Tourist Places

Author(s): B C Nagraj
Publisher: ITI Jains Association, Bangalore

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Dharmashalas : (1) Nemichand Hirachandji Dharmashala located near jain Shravikashram (2) A Dharmashala in Shukrawhpet (3) Sri Adinath Jain temple and Dharmashala, Tuljapur Road.
Solapur is famous for jacquard bed spreads and Chadars. 170. SAVERGAON :(30 kms from Sholapur, Athishaya Kshetra)
At the centre of village Sri Parshwanatha digambar jain Athishaya kshetra is located. A huge manasthambha is there in front of the temple. 171. ASHTA : (64 kms from Solapur, Athishaya Kshetra)
This is called as Kasar - Asta as it had once many Kasar jain population. The temple has one foot padmasan black stone statue of Lord Parshwanatha. 172. ELLORA : ( 29 kms to Aurangabad)
The cave temples here are world famous for its architectural wonders. The Kailasa temple is a magnum opus and is a World Heritage Monument. The monuments of Ellora are of Buddhist, Hindu and Jaina origin. Excavated in the large rocky plateau, they are remarkable memories of three great faiths. The most marvellous of all is the stupendous rock-cut Hindu temple of Kailas, elaborately carved inside and outside. Hewn entirely out of solid rock, with its massive pillars and collonnades intricate galleries, painted ceilings and huge sculptures, Kailas is one of the world wonders. It is estimated that the task of quarrying its 3,000,000 cubic feet of rock must have taken at least a hundred years. This cave was got scooped by the Rastrakuta King Krishna.
In all, 34 caves are here and the cave No. 30 to 34 belongs to jaina group. These caves were excavated by the Rashtrakuta kings who ruled from Malakhed in Karnataka during 7th and 10th century A.D. The frescos, basrelief and statues of these caves are marvellous. The important statues are Bhagawan Parshwanatha in penance and upsarga on him, Kayotsarga statues of Bahubali, Dharanendra-Padmavati, GomedAmbica, Matanga - Siddayini, Chakreshwari, Dancing Indra, Dancing Nilanjana and so on. The sculptor has achieved excellence of greatest order over here.
Sri Suparshwanatha jain Gurukula is here. 173. AJANTA ( 103 kms from Aurangabad) In a beautiful glade amidst superb scenery are the caves of Ajanta,
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