Bhadreshwar Jain Temple is located in the village of Bhadreshwar in the Mundra Taluk of Kutch in Gujarat. Locals also consider this Jain Temple to be the Vasai Jain Temple. The Bhadreshwar Jain Temple timings are from 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM.
Bhadreshwar Jain Temple
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This Jain Temple has a prosperous history and has been visited by many devotees throughout the year. This Temple may be the oldest Jain Temple in India, and experts say the temple structures date back to 500 BC.
The Temple is sometimes also known as the Bhadreswar Temple. Locals also call it Bhadreshwar Derasar, a word related to the Derasar Jain temple. The Temple has a long history of bearing the brunt of natural disasters.
Experts agree that the temples were destroyed during the 1819, 1845 and 1875 earthquakes. The temple complex was largely destroyed in an earthquake on January 26, 2001, which struck the area.
History
It is believed to be one of the oldest Jain temples in India, though they have been restored occasionally. The King Siddhasena of Bhadravati first destroyed the Temple in 449 B.C.
Devachandra, a Jain, is said to have laid the foundation of this Temple centuries ago. In the year 1125, Jagadusha extensively restored the Temple.
The temples were often destroyed by natural disasters such as earthquakes, and the architects and artisans who restored the temples during the 1819, 1844-45, and 1875 earthquakes claimed to be architects and artists.
Architecture
This Jain Temple is located in the city of Bhadreshwar and is said to date back to the Mahabharata period. Bhadreshwar has about forty-four shrines, and they are spread over the premises.
The entrance to the Temple is through a majestic arch. The colour of the Temple is mostly light brown. It is a well-maintained precinct with closing passages connecting the temple structures.
The pillars, walls and domes contain intricate, beautiful sculptures depicting human figures and celestial beings. The fully carved temple dome is the most breathtakingly beautiful view.
You will see beautiful sculptures of ordinary people marching at the roof’s edge. Colourful sculptures depicting men, women and children in glorious colours convey the essence of Gujarat.
You will be amazed to see the beautiful sculptures of humans adorning the pillars. The human figurines you see here differ from those in other Gujarat temples.
We often see colourful, vibrant artefacts that are the benchmark for Gujarati art in the temples, but the sculptures have a different aesthetic here. The unique sculptures you see at the top of the dome will amaze you.
Idols of Bhadreshwar Jain Temple
What you see here are the idols of Lord Parshwanath, as well as the Tirtha idols of Lord Mahavir. You will see Sweet Vern and Padmasanastha idols.
You will also see the statues of St. Ajitnath and Lord Shantinath. Keep in mind that only Jains can join the Vasai Jain Temple. You will see the idols of Vyakreshwari and Chakreshwari.
There are also Kalyanasagar Suruchiji Dada shoes on the temple premises. You can spend about an hour at the Jain Temple.
You will see many people, tourists, and devotees, so if you look at the various activities here, you will learn about the Jain worship system and many aspects of Jain mythology.
The Temple in Kutch, Gujarat, has an original idol of Parshavanath dating back to around 500 BC. Around, you will also see sculptures of animals, where elephants are the main theme.
Nearby, you will see two mosques with a unique architectural style, close to the Indian style, compared to the usual Islamic style.
Experts agree that a learned saint built the mosque to protect the site from Islamic invaders. The Temple is an enchanting experience.
Bhadreshwar Jain Temple Timings
The Bhadreshwar Jain temple timings are:
| Day | Timings |
| Monday | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Saturday | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Sunday | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Aarti Timings
Aarti starts at 06.00 AM – All Days
The best time to visit
The most suitable time to see the Temple is from morning till noon, during the worst weather in Gujarat. So, ensure you have something you can use to protect yourself from the sun, such as sunglasses and a hat.
The Temple has a dining hall (guest centre) and an Atithi Bhavan (guest house) for those who want to relax.
Hotels near the Temple
There are various hotels in Bhadreshwar that you can book to stay at for a while.
There are Beetle SmartTotels, and their room prices start from 1300 INR. You also own the OYO IVY Hotel, 10 km from the station. The starting price of a room in that hotel is 1500 rupees per day.
Hotel room prices range from 1200 INR to 6000 INR depending on the facilities and services that suit you. One facility that many are now using is dormitories that provide accommodation at affordable prices.
These work well for backpackers and those travelling on a budget. Commonly available accommodation ranges from around three hundred to five hundred rupees.
Dormitories provide a bed and space to store your belongings. You can book dormitories for a day or more.
Nearby Places
The Temple is located in the village of Bhadreshwar, and you can visit some other religious and tourist places.
For example, the Chokanda Mahadev Temple, the ancient Shiva Temple, and the Solakhambi Mosque’s ruins are places to visit. There is also the Lal Shahbaz Dargah and the Chhoti Mosque, which some say dates back to the 12th century.
How to reach the Temple?
The Temple is located in the Kutch region and is well-connected to Gujarat and other important cities.
If you like to travel by air, you must first reach Rajkot station and then take a bus or taxi to the Kutch area. The town of Bhadreshwar is about thirty minutes away from Bhuj.
By Air:
The nearest airport to the Temple is Bhuj. Another airport that you can travel to is Kandla Airport, which is about 30 minutes away from the Temple.
By Rail:
Gandhidham Railway Station is the nearest railhead, located at a distance of 35 km from the Temple.
Address
Bhadreshwar, Gujarat, 370410; Phone, +91 2838 282 382
The official website has more details about the Bhadreshwar temple.