Sonagiri
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Sonagiri (Hindi: सोनागिरी) about 60 km from Gwalior, has scores of Jain temples dating from the 9th century onwards. It is located in the Datia district of Madhya Pradesh, India. This location is popular among devotees and ascetic saints to practice self-discipline, austerity and to attain Moksha (salvation or liberation). This place also has a Jain museum.[1]
| Sonagiri Jain Tirth | |
|---|---|
| |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Jainism |
| Deity | Chandraprabhu |
| Festivals | Mahavir Jayanti |
| Governing body | Shri Dig. Jain Siddha Shetra Sonagiri Samrakshini Committee |
| Location | |
| Location | Datia, Madhya Pradesh |
| Architecture | |
| Date established | 9th century |
| Temple(s) | 103 |
| Website | |
| Sonagir Terapanthi Kothi Sonagir | |
EtymologyEdit
In Hindi, Sonagiri means a mountain ('giri') of gold ('sona').[2][3]
SignificanceEdit
According to Jain texts, since the time of Chandraprabhu (the 8th Teerthankar), five and half crores of ascetic saints have achieved moksha (liberation) here. The place is considered sacred by devotees. There is a 3 metres (9.8 ft) rock cut image of Chandraprabhu dating back to 5th to 6th century.[4] There are a total of 103 temples with 77 on hill and 26 in village.[5] The Samavsharan of Bhagwan Chandraprabhu came here seventeen times. Nang, Anang, Chintagati, Poornachand, Ashoksen, Shridatta, Swarnbhadra and many other saints achieved salvation here. This is a unique place known as Laghu Sammed Shikhar covering the area of 132 acres of two hills. There are 77 Jain temples with high spires, Temple number 57 is the main temple among them.[6] Acharya Shubh Chandra and Bhartrihari lived and worked here for spiritual achievements.
Main Temple and IdolEdit
Temple Number 57 is the main temple. This is vast in size and possess an attractive artistic spire. In this temple the principal deity is Lord Chandraprabha, 11 feet in height and two other idols of Lord Sheetalnath and Parsvanatha are installed. There is a column of dignity (Manstambh) near the temple at 43 feet in height and a model of Samavsharan.[6]
LocationEdit
Sonagiri can be accessed via Dabra-Datia Road. This also lies on Gwalior-Jhansi Road. Sonagiri Railway Station lies on Agra-Jhansi rail line.
GalleryEdit
Jain temples, Sonagiri hill
Sonagiri Jain temple
Jain Temples on Sonagiri Hill, woodcut engraving of 1899
Sonagiri Jain temple
Jain temple at Songiri
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
CitationEdit
- ↑ Hudson & Nicholls 1975, p. 267.
- ↑ Kuchalambal 2016, p. 374.
- ↑ Mallick & Ganapathy 2015.
- ↑ Titze & Klaus 1998, p. 128.
- ↑ Mitra 2009, p. 75.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Arihant Experts 2019, p. 270.
SourceEdit
- Hudson, Kenneth; Nicholls, Ann (1975). Directory of Museums. Springer. ISBN 9781349014880.
- Kuchalambal, Abhitha (2016). Tales Told to the Tooth Goddess. Partridge Publishing. ISBN 9781482819656.
- Mallick, Anurag; Ganapathy, Priya (2015). "On a spiritual quest". Deccan Herald.
- Mitra, Swati (2009). Orchha, Travel Guide. Goodearth Publications. ISBN 9788187780915.
- Titze, Kurt; Bruhn, Klaus (1998). Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence (2 ed.). Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-1534-3.
- Arihant Experts (2019). Know Your State - Madhya Pradesh (2 ed.). Arihant Publications. ISBN 9789313193265.
External linksEdit
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