Digambar Jain Lal Mandir
If you ask someone about the biggest and the most popular Jain temple in Delhi, the answer you would get is Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir. Also known as ‘Lal Mandir’, the temple is dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankar, Lord Parashvanath. It is called ‘Lal Mandir’ since red sandstone has been used in its construction.
Location: Opposite Lal Quila, Delhi
Constructed: 1656
Also known as: Lal Mandir
Location of Lal Mandir Temple:
The temple is located at the junction of Chandni Chowk and Netaji Subhash Marg, just opposite Red Fort. It can easily be seen from the road junction.
History of Digambar Jain Lal Mandir:
The city of old Delhi, commonly known as the ‘walled city’ was founded by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. The city was planned in such a way that around his Imperial residence, the Lal Quila, there was the main street, called Chandni Chowk. Shah Jahan invited many Agrawal and Jain merchants to settle in this city and establish their businesses. He even granted them some land, south of the Chandni Chowk, around Dariba Gali. The Lal Mandir was constructed during his reign only.
According to a famous Jain scholar Balbhadra Jain’s compendium of Digambar, there was a Jain officer in the Mughal army, who kept an idol of ‘Tirthankara’ in his tent for personal worship. With time, this tent started attracting other Jain army officers as well.
Subsequently, a Jain temple was constructed at the site in the year 1656. At that time, the temple was also known as “Urdu temple” (because it was located in an area called “Urdu Bazar”) and “Lashkari Mandir” (Lashkar in the Urdu language means an army camp). Three marble idols installed by Jivaraj Papriwal under the supervision of Bhattaraka Jinachandra in Samvat 1548 (1491 AD) were acquired by the Agrawal Jain community for the temple.
The present-day Digambar Jain Lal Mandir buildings were constructed after the fall of the Mughal Empire, during the second half of the 19th century, around 1878. Initially, the Mughals did not permit the construction of shikhar for the temple. The temple shikhar was only built in the year 1947 after India gained independence.
Legend Associated With the Lal Mandir:
Balbhadra Jain also narrates several legends about the Digambar Jain Lal Mandir. One such legend relates to Emperor Aurangzeb, who was Shah Jahan’s successor. Aurangzeb did not like any kind of music, so he ordered a ban on all musical instruments in the temple. However, miraculously, sounds of nagaadas (drums) would be heard emanating from the temple. Mughal officers were sent to inspect the temple, but they did not find anything. Aurangzeb himself visited the temple to see the miracle, and finally, lifted the ban.
Location of Lal Mandir Temple:
The temple is located at the junction of Chandni Chowk and Netaji Subhash Marg, just opposite Red Fort. It can easily be seen from the road junction.
Digambar Jain Lal Mandir Bird Hospital’s Special Features
Birds Hospital
The Jain Birds Hospital, housed in a structure behind the main temple, is one of the temple’s most notable attractions. This avian veterinary facility was founded in 1930 and serves over 15,000 birds a year, including herbivorous birds and squirrels that have been saved from hawkers or accidents. To protect herbivorous birds, carnivorous birds are treated as outpatients. The Jain dedication to ahimsa (non-violence) is reflected in this hospital, which is unique in the world.
Highlights of Architecture
- Manastambha Column: The striking Manastambha column at the temple’s entryway welcomes pilgrims.
- Main Temple Complex: The main worship hall is located on the first floor, after passing through a little courtyard. Three main shrines devoted to Jain Tirthankars are located there.
- Shikhar: Added after independence, the red sandstone Shikhar adds to the temple’s magnificence.
Three Principal Shrines
- Each cosmic time cycle has 24 Tirthankars, according to Jain cosmology. Lal Mandir’s three main shrines are devoted to:
- Adinath, or the “First Lord,” is another name for Lord Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankar, who is credited with founding Jainism in the modern era.
- The 23rd Tirthankar, Lord Parshavanatha, is renowned for revitalizing Jainism and promoting the idea of karma. A snake hood is frequently shown over his head.
Digambar Jain Lal Mandir Complex:
The pilgrims coming to the temple are welcomed by the Manastambha column at the temple entrance. On the first floor of the temple, after crossing a small courtyard, there is a primary hall of worship. There are 3 main shrines and several other sub-shrines in the temple.
In 1931, Acharya Shantisagar, the famous Digambar Jain Monk had visited the temple. Over a history of eight centuries, he was the first Digambara Jain Monk to have visited Delhi. To commemorate this historical visit, a memorial was built inside the temple.
The peaceful ambience attracts pilgrims in large numbers. The shining gilded paintwork under the lights of butter lamps and candles provides a soothing atmosphere for the devotees.
Who are the three main shrines dedicated to?
According to Jain cosmology, there is no temporal beginning or end of the universe. Furthermore, the wheel of time is divided into two halves- ascending time cycle, Utsarpini and the descending time cycle, Avasarpini (said to be the current cycle). Twenty Four Tirthankars grace each half of the cosmic time cycle and Jainism is found by the first Tirthankar each time. Inside the Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, three main shrines are there and are dedicated to:
- Lord Rishabhanatha: In this current time cycle, Lord Rishabhanatha is the first Tirthankar, saviour and spiritual teacher of the dharma (righteous path) because his teachings helped one across the sea of interminable rebirths and deaths. Hence he was also known as Adinath-“First (Adi) Lord (nātha)”. He is the spiritual successor of the last Tirthankar of the previous time cycle, Sampratti Bhagwan and is said to be the founder of Jainism of the present time cycle.
- Lord Parshavanatha: The twenty-third Tirthankaras or propagator of dharma was Lord Parshav Nath. The earliest advocator of Karma philosophy, Lord Parashvanatha was popularly seen as a propagator and reviver of Jainism. He attained moksha on Mount Sammeta (Madhuban, Jharkhand) in the Ganges basin, an important Jain pilgrimage site. The serpent hood over his head makes his iconography prominent and moreover, his worship often includes Dharanendra and Padmavati (Jainism’s serpent Devta and Devi). As per Jain Śvetambar texts, Parshavanatha propounded that every household must adhere to four restraints to attain nirvana.
- Lord Mahavira: The 24th and the last Tirthankar of the present Avasarpani era, the descending time cycle, Lord Mahavira was born in 599 BC as a prince in the ancient republic of Vaishali (Bihar). However, having renounced all worldly pleasures and comforts, he went in search of ‘Moksha’ (salvation). He preached about the eternal truth of life and ways to attain Moksha after attaining enlightenment. He reformed the existing faith and by adding the fifth monastic vow of celibacy, expanded the scope of parshvanatha’s first four restraints to the practice of asceticism
Five Jain monastic oaths
Two major schools of thought under Jainism are Digambara and Svetambara. While Digambaras follow Mahavira’s five vows teachings, Svetambaras trace their practices and dress code to the teachings of Parshavanatha, who expounded four restraints for attaining Nirvana. Adhering to the above vows provides spiritual peace, a better rebirth, or Nirvana (ultimate liberation), which are the ultimate human goals.
- Ascetics and householders equally uphold the five vows that Jainism emphasizes as a means of fostering spiritual discipline:
- The central principle of Jainism, including thoughts, speech, and deeds, is ahimsa, or non-violence.
- Sincerity in all facets of life is satya or truthfulness.
- Asteya (non-stealing): Don’t take anything that isn’t offered voluntarily.
- Brahmacharya (chastity): abstinence for monks; faithfulness to one’s spouse for householders.
- Aparigraha (Non-attachment): Disengagement from material belongings and minimalism.
Important things About the Digambar Jain Lal Mandir:
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The temple complex remains open for a longer time during the 10 days of Daslakshan Parv or Paryushan Mahaparv.
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There is no entry fee to enter the temple.
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Cameras are not allowed inside the temple.
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Entering the temple carrying leather goods is not allowed. Hence devotees are expected to take off their footwear.
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The footwear and all other leather goods have to be handed over to the concerned person before entering the temple complex.
Best Time to Visit the Temple:
Summer timings are from Holi to Diwali: 5:30 am to 11:30 am & 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Winter timings are from Diwali to Holi: 6:00 am to 12:00 pm & 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
In terms of months, the best time to visit Delhi is during winters, when the temperature is comfortable. Though December and January are quite cold months. During the festivals, Paryushana, Samvatsari, Deepawali and Jnaan Panchami, the temple is beautifully decorated and it is advisable to visit during the same.
How to reach Lal Mandir?
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By Train: The nearest station is Old Delhi Railway Station. Though there are several other railway stations like New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, and Sarai Rohilla. All these stations are well connected to all the major cities through a rail network.
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By Air: The nearest airport is Delhi Airport. There are regular flights from all major cities to Delhi.
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By Road: Delhi is well-connected to all major cities through a road network. There are bus services available that connect Delhi to major cities.
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Within City: The nearest metro stations are Lal Quila and Jama Masjid, located on the Violet line of Delhi Metro. Government-owned DTC and private buses are available
FAQs:
Q1: What is the Shri Digambar Jan Mandir at Delhi commonly known as?
Ans: Lal Mandir
Q2: When was the Lal Mandir constructed?
Ans: The Lal Mandir was constructed in the year 1656, during the rule of Shah Jahan
Q3: Why was the Shikhar of the ‘Digambar Jain Lal Mandir temple built after 1947?
Ans: When the temple was built, the Mughal Emperors did not permit the construction of the temple-shikhar. It was built after 1947 after India gained Independence.
Q4: Who is the first Tirthankar of Jainism?
Ans: Rishabh Dev Ji, also known as Adinath
Q5: Which Jain monk had visited the Lal Mandir in 1931?
Ans: Acharya Shantisagar, the famous Digambar Jain Monk had visited the temple in 1931. . Over a history of eight centuries, he was the first Digambara Jain Monk to have visited Delhi.
