Parshvanath Jain temples, Varanasi a group three Jain temples located in Bhelupur, Uttar Pradesh. The temples in Bhelupur were built to commemorate place for three kalyanaka of Parshvanatha.
Parshvanath Jain temple, Varanasi | |
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Religion | |
Affiliation | Jainism |
Sect | Digambar, Śvētāmbara |
Deity | Parshvanath |
Festival | Mahavir Jayanti |
Location | |
Location | Bhelupur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
Geographic coordinates | 25°17′58.3″N 82°59′59.8″E / 25.299528°N 82.999944°E |
Temple(s) | 3 |
According to Jain literature, Varanasi was ruled by King Aśvasena, the father of Parshvanatha, in 9th century.[1][2] Varanasi is as one of the holiest Jain pilgrimage centres and believed to be birthplace of four Tirthankar — Parshvanatha, Suparshvanatha, Chandraprabha and Shreyansanath. This is considered as one of the holiest pilgrimage places.[3][4] Bhelpur is believed to be birthplace of Parshvanath, the 23rd Thirthankara,[5] hence, a place for three kalyanak - Chyavan, Janm, and Deeksha.[6][7][8] Mahavira also delivered sermons at Varanasi and Sarnath.[9]
Vividha Tirtha Kalpa, composed by Jinaprabha Suri in the 14th century CE, gives a detailed description of this temple.[10]
A beautiful temple dedicated to Parshvanath is built here. The mulnayak of this temple is a 75 centimetres (2.46 ft) black-coloured digambar idol of Parshvanatha dating back to 9th-11th century and a 60 centimetres (2.0 ft) white-coloured shvetambar idol of Parshvanatha.[4][7] It is located in Bhelapur about 5 km from the center of Varanasi city and 3 km from the Banaras Hindu University. It belongs to both sects of Jainism and is a holy tirtha or pilgrimage centre for Jains.[11]