Foundation stone of east UP’s largest Jain temple laid in Prayagraj

PRAYAGRAJ: Amid ceremonial rituals, the foundation stone for the construction of the biggest Jain temple of eastern Uttar Pradesh was laid on the campus of ancient Jain temple at Bai Ka Bagh locality of the city, on Sunday.
A large number of members of the community attended the ceremony. This three-storey temple of Shwetambar Jains will become the center of attraction for devotees coming to Prayagraj from all over the country and even abroad. Presently, there is a 55-year-old Shri Rishabh Dev Jain Shwetambar Temple with hundreds of years old idol of Lord Rishabhdev, also known as Lord Adinath -- the first Jain Tirthankar of present time cycle.
As part of this mega renovation, the new temple structure would be constructed at the same site and encompass the large ground located in front of the existing temple.
Munna Lal Tiwari, who is the second-generation priest from his family at this temple, performed the rituals amid many prominent personalities of the city and neighbouring districts.
The idols of the Gods and Goddesses in the new temple will be installed in all the four directions in the upper floors while the main idol of the first Tirthankar with smaller idols of other Tirthankars (24 in all) would be installed on the ground floor. Artisans of Odisha and Rajasthan have been given the responsibility for the construction of the temple.
“After completion, this would be the largest temple of Jains in eastern Uttar Pradesh. It would be constructed in Madhubani style with exquisite carvings. Along with this, there would be artifacts from the entrance to the main building of the temple. On every floor, there will be artwork of cows, goats and elephants to attract visitors,” said the priest. “This temple is very important for the devotees of Jain community. The temple would be built on a land of around 4000 square yards and a two-storey dharamshala will also be built on the campus,” said Chandrakant Savla, one of the senior members of the community from the city. According to the stone inscription, when Lord Rishabhdev arrived here, hundreds of years back the name of Prayagraj was Purimtaal. It was on this land that Lord Rishabhdev attained ‘Kevalgyan’ (enlightenment) and it was here that Mata Marudevi, mother of the first Tirthankar, also attained enlightenment and Moksha.