Nasiyan Jain Temple

Nasiyan Temple The renowned Nasiyan Jain Temple is to be found at Prithviraj Marg in Ajmer, Rajasthan. After the temples of Ranakpur and Mount Abu, Nasiyan temple is regarded as one of the best Jain temples in Rajasthan. Built in 1865, Nasiyan Temple is also known as Lal Mandir (Red Temple). Centrally located in Ajmer, the temple can be reached easily from anywhere in Rajasthan. Nasiyan Digambar Jain Temple is dedicated to Lord Adinath, the first Jain 'tirthankara'.

The two-storied structure of Nasiyan Temple is divided into two parts, where one is the worship area comprising the idol of Lord Adinath and the second is the museum including a hall. The museum hall gets the major attention due to its mind blowing interiors made up in gold. This exquisite museum depicts the five stages (Panch Kalyanak) in the life of Lord Adinath, in the stature of statues. With the dimensions of 40 x 80 feet, the hall is adorned with Belgium stain glass, mineral color paintings and stain glasswork.

The astonishing and inimitable display of the shrine, made it to be recognized, as the Golden Temple (Swarna Mandir). The focal hall is made surprisingly beautiful with gold and silver decorations. Digambar Jain Temple displays marvelous wooden gild representations, glass engravings and paintings, recounting the conviction of the Jainism with reference to the making of the world. Festooned by precious stones, gold and silver work, the place is also termed as Soni Ji Ki Nasiyan.

The celestial appearance of the temple creates a kind of divine aura that appeals to the mind of pilgrims and devotees. In the inner prayer chamber, small silver balls hanging from the ceiling absolutely enthrall the onlooker. The posh interiors of the temple boast of the aesthetic and rich taste of the Digambar Jains. In the vein of other Jain architecture, Nasiyan Temple has high fortifications encircling the temple complex. Jain Temple receives devotees, who come to pay their homage to Lord Adinath, from all over India.

History of the Nasiyan Temple
Construction work of this incredible structure was taken up by Rai Bahadur Seth Moolchand and Nemichand Soni in the year 1864, and subsequently the image of Lord Rishabdev was installed in the Sanctum Sanctorum in 1865. Under the guidance of the great scholar Pandit Sadasukhdasji of Jaipur who supervised the construction work, the temple was completed in a short period of time. This awesome shrine is situated on Prithvi Raj Marg in Ajmer and stands as a glorious testimony to the brilliant craftsmanship of the artisans.

Significance of the Nasiyan Temple
The Nasiyan temple is a glorious tribute to the religion of non-violence practiced by the Digambara sect of the Jain community. Though it was completed in a matter of a few years, the innumerable sections of the stunning three dimensional model were painstakingly assembled by master artisans of Jaipur over a staggering period of almost 25 years.

All the individual parts were fashioned in accordance with the story of Rishaba, based on an old manuscript by Acharya Jinasena. Though many Jain temples feature painted or figurative representations of the five tenets of Jainism, this particular shrine espouses those auspicious attributes in a brilliant manner. A huge custom built hall was erected just for the purpose of conveying this in an effective fashion.

Architecture of the Nasiyan Temple
This brilliant piece of architecture is probably one of the most astonishing Jain religious centers ever built. The two storied structure is divided into two sections, with one serving as the worship area and another, a museum with a hall. The ornate hall is adorned with expensive Belgian stained glass, mineral color paintings and exquisite stained glasswork.

A mind-boggling 1000 kg of gold has been used in the construction of this marvel which so effectively depicts instances of Jain mythology in a panoramic manner. The interiors of this awesome structure are replete with silver balls suspended from the ceiling and topped by a Vimana. Intricate silver linings and precious gems also embellish the interiors, adding luster to the overall appearance. Elaborate glass engravings and paintings etched with Jain scriptural artwork are prominent. The temple exudes an aura of peace and calm, beckoning visitors to worship and pay homage.

Ajmer Tourism

Ajmer Tourism is one of those cities in Rajasthan that offers a trip back to ancient times. Surrounded by the magnificent Aravali Mountains, this city is situated in the northwestern region of India. With a plethora of medieval architecture and pilgrimage sites, Ajmer is engulfed with a historic vibe. It is also home to many museums, something that really brings a boost to Ajmer tourism. The forts and palaces situated here make for an astounding tourist location. This place is the eye candy of many histories and architecture enthusiasts. Anyone with a heart for ancient and royal should definitely plan to spend a few days in Ajmer. Ana Sagar Lake, the shrine of Garib Nawaz, Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Ajmer Government Museum, Indo-Saracenic–style Mayo College are some of the most intriguing places to visit in Ajmer.