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Last edited September 23, 2025


Parshvanath Jain temples, Varanasi
Religion
AffiliationJainism
SectDigambar, Śvētāmbara
DeityParshvanath
FestivalMahavir Jayanti
Location
LocationBhelupur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
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Coordinates25°17′58.3″N 82°59′59.8″E / 25.299528°N 82.999944°E / 25.299528; 82.999944
Temple3

Parshvanath Jain temples, Varanasi is a group of three Jain temples located in Bhelupur, Uttar Pradesh.

History[edit | edit source]

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, Janma, 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]

Description[edit | edit source]

The temple has 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 Śvetāmbara idol of Parshvanatha.[4][7] It is in Bhelupur 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 tirtha or pilgrimage centre for Jains.[11]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Balgoori 2013, p. 167.
  2. Raychaudhuri 1953, p. 83.
  3. "Varanasi" (PDF). Uttar Pradesh Tourism. p. 17.
  4. 4.0 4.1 UP tourism & Jain shrine.
  5. Cort 2001, p. 179.
  6. "kalyanak-bhumi". jainuniversity.org. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Singh 2009, p. 32.
  8. Singh 2015.
  9. Dodson 2021, p. 77.
  10. Eck 2013, p. 76.
  11. Singh 2009, p. 33.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]