The best thing about our national capital, Delhi, has got to be the fact that there are history and culture in every corner of the city! Be in the form of its food, iconic monuments, or even temples for that matter, the city has heritage written all over it. And one such iconic spot in the city is Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir. Located opposite to another historic spot, Red Fort, the 17th-century temple is the oldest standing Jain temple in Delhi! Read on to know more about this historic temple.
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History of Shri Digambar Jain Temple
Located right opposite to the Red Fort, Shri Digambar Jain Temple dates back to the 17th century, during the Mughal era. The striking building is made entirely out of red sandstone. Dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankara (spiritual teacher)- Parshvanath, you will also find the idols of Lord Mahavir, Rishabhdev and several other deities inside the temple. The best thing about this temple is that people from different religions are welcome to pray and meditate here.
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The Stunning Architecture of The Temple
Once you reach here, you will witness various structures – a Mughal period dome, with a spire in sandstone. Beyond which stands three masonry peaks in bright red.
Shri Digambar Jain Temple has two storeys – the lower floor has an administrative office, a publication centre, and a shoe house. And the first floor has the three main chambers where various Tirthankaras of Jainism statues are placed and you can worship there.
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The ambience inside is very peaceful and calm, so you can meditate and pray for long hours. You can pay homage to God by offering them rice grains and can also light lamp or candles. One thing you should keep in mind is that photography is also prohibited inside.
There’s also a bird hospital inside!
Apart from the temple, the complex houses a Jain Birds Hospital, which is a unique service offered by the authorities. The centre comprises of general wards and ICU which specifically for birds and avian patients that need special care.
Note: The temple remains closed from 12-6 PM, so plan your visit accordingly.
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