Shri Nakoda Parshwanath Jain Temple

Shree Nakoda ji or Parshwanath Temple of Nakoda is located on a beautiful 1500 feet high hill at a distance of 13 km from Balotara Railway station and 1 km from Mewad city. It is one of the most important and famous pilgrimage for the Jain community in India. The major attraction of the temple is the main idol of the 24th Jain Tirthankara Parshvanth. The statue is 58 cm in height with black complexion in the Padmasana posture. There are many statues and idols in this temple which are extremely charming and miraculous.

Nakoda pilgrimage is a center of worship for the masses due to its miraculous peril-preventing power. On remembering Nakoda, the Lord makes the path of life hurdle-free and paved. The common masses maintain that the 'Prasad' (offerings in the form of sweets, fruits etc.)dedicated here should be distributed within the precincts of the pilgrimage. Taking the 'Prasad' elsewhere from the parameter of the pilgrimage is not considered to be proper. Pilgrims start offering oil on the idol of Shri Bhairavji from 11.30 in the morning, which is available at Modi khana near the pedhi. The dadawadi of dada guru Jinkushal suriji is built-up on a small hill near the temple. Pilgrims offers their homage to him by taking darshan of his pagaliyas of dada guru. The look of temple from the top of the hill is very interesting.

Hundreds-thousands of travellers come here daily from every corner of India and maintain partnership in the name of Bhairav even in their business. This is indicative of a unique faith towards Bhairavdev. A big fair is held here on Poush Krishna Dashami, which is the birthday of Lord Parshwanath. This teerth place was established by Parampujya Shri Sthulibhadra swamiji, and hence it has much importance in Jainism. The ancient idol of Shri Parshwanath Bhagwan is very attractive and full of magical powers. Shri Bhairavji Maharaj, the adhisthayak dev of this teerth place is magically very powerfull and is famous in the world for the amazing miracles. Even if there is no house in his area but it seems like a small city by the flow of pilgrims and visitors who keep on coming here for fulfillment of their wishes.

The ancient name of this Tirth is mentioned as Virampur. Virsen and Nakorsen of the third century of the Vikram era built this temple and His Holiness Jain Acharya Sthulibhadrasuri installed the idol. In course of time, this temple was renovated many times. When Alamshsh invaded this place in the year 1280 of the Vikram era (1224 AD), the Jain Sangha kept this idol hidden in the cellar in the Kalidrah village for protection. This temple was again renovated in the fifteenth century. 120 idols were brought here from Kalidrah and this beautiful and miraculous idol was installed here as Mulnayak (main idol of the temple) in the year 1429 of the Vikram era (1373 AD). Jain Acharya Kirtiratnasuri installed the idol Bhairav here. Apart from Nakoda Parsvanatha the other Jain temples here are dedicated to Rishabhadeva and Shantinath.

The Parsvanatha Jain temple was originally a temple of Mahavira. One of the Founding Trustees of the current temple at the Nakoda Tirthstan is the late Shri Keshrimal Sanghvi of the now defunct Patent Tiffin Carrier (PTC) company from Pune. The current generation of the Sanghvi Family still remain as one of the Trustees of the temple.

History of Shri Nakoda Ji Jain Temple :
This Temple is dedicated to Lord Parshavnath Ji, the 23rd Tirthankar of Jains. It was originally built by two brothers named Virsen and Nakorsen in around 3rd century A.D. It has about 246 inscriptions which indicate that the Temple was rebuilt, extended and renovated over the Centuries.

Architecture of Shri Nakoda Ji Jain Temple :
The Temple has been built of Makrana marble, sand stone of Jaisalmer and Chhitar stone of Jodhpur. The temple has a very high elaborate pinnacle which is a rare example of architectural and sculptural elegance. There are unparalleled statuettes and other floral patterns.
The main idol is of Lord Parshavnath Ji which was brought from Village Nakoda which is near town Sinduri, hence the Temple is also known as Shri Nakoda Parshavnath Temple. This black colored idol is very ancient, 58 cm in height and is seated in Padmasana posture. The Temple also has 120 idols of other Jain Tirthankaras which were brought in 1372 A.D. from Kalidrah and an idol of Nakoda Bhairavji. The Temple Complex also has Temples dedicated to Lord Adinath (the 1st Jain Tirthankar) and Lord Shantinath (the 16th Jain Tirthankar) which are said to have been built in the 16th or 17th Centuries A.D. It is believed that who so ever pays visit here, his all wishes are fulfilled.