page_title: Ajmer Jain temple
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Ajmer Jain temple / History
caption_attribution_description: English: At a height of 82 feet, this is the highest Jain Manasthambha in the world
context_page_description: The Ajmer Jain temple, also known as Soniji Ki Nasiyan, is an architecturally rich Jain temple. It was built in the late nineteenth century. The main chamber, known as the Swarna Nagari "City of Gold", has several gold-plated wooden figures, depicting several figures in the Jain religion. This golden chamber of the temple uses 1000 kg of gold to carve out a depiction of Ayodhya.
  Kurt Titze, in his book, "Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence", writes on Soniji Ki Nasiyan:
  "Ajmer's main attraction is - for the Jainas - the prominently situated Nasiayan Digambara Temple, or rather the two-storied Svarana Nagara Hall behind the temple, better known as the Museum. Both the temple and the museum were built and are still owned by the Soni family of Ajmer. The temple, dedicated to Rishabha or Adinatha in 1865, was constructed of red sandstone in a matter of a few years, but it took twenty-five years, from 1870 to 1895, to fashion - by artisans at Jaipur - the thousands of individual parts required to assemble a three-dimensional replica of the story of Rishabha in accordance with an old manuscript by Acharya Jinasena.
context_section_description: Greatly revered by the Digambar sect of the Jains, the Nasiyan temple is dedicated to Lord Rishabhdev, first of the 24 tirthankara by Rai Bahadur Seth Moolchand and Nemichand Soni. It is situated on Prithvi Raj Marg in Ajmer, the heart of Rajasthan state in India. The foundation of this magnificent Jain temple was laid on 10 October 1864 and the image of the first Tirthankar Lord Rishabhdev (Adinath), was installed in the Sanctum Sanctorum on 26 May 1865. This work was carried out under the able guidance of the great scholar Pandit Sadasukhdasji of Jaipur.
  The name of the temple is Siddhkoot Chaityalaya. It is also known as 'Red Temple' as it is built of red sandstone or 'Nasiyan of Seth Moolchand Soni' signifying the founder’s name. After the Svarna Nagri was added to the temple in 1895 A.D. it popularly began to be called as 'Sone ka Mandir' or 'Soni Mandir' emphasizing the golden structure as well as the family name. The halls of this temple are adorned with fascinating series of large, gilt wooden figures and delicate paintings that display scenes from Jain scriptures.
  Main Temple
  The entrance gate of the temple is made of red sandstone brought from Karauli.  In front of the gateway is the marble staircase, leading to the main temple, which is embellished with the images of the Tirthankars.
  Vedi’s
  The central image is of Lord Rishabhdev seated in the "Samavasarana" - in which He imparts true knowledge to the suffering humanity, so that they get liberated from the entanglements of life and death.  In the year 2005, the 3 Vedi's were renovated and all the idols of Tirthankaras were re-installed amidst religious rituals and ceremonies. In this portion only Jains are allowed to perform their religious rituals.
  Shantinath statue
  54 feet Shantinatha statue is being built here. This statue will be the largest Shanti Nath statue in the world.
  Manastambha
  On entering this historical temple one gets the view of the beautifully and artistically designed 82 feet high Manastambha.   
  R. B. Seth Tikamchand Soni laid the foundation and R. B. Seth Sir Bhagchand Soni built this Manastambha. He, along with his sons Prabhachand, Nirmalchand & Sushilchand consecrated and installed the images of the Jain Tirthankars in it. A big function was held for ten days in June 1953, where along with the members of the Soni family, thousands of others participated.
  Library
  In the year 1974, in the auspicious presence of 108 Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj, a big library was established by R.B. Seth Sir Bhagchand Soni. The library houses rare Jain scriptures which are extensively used for research by scholars.
  Visitors
  The temple is being visited by many tourists annually. Distinguished Visitors include India's first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indra Gandhi, Morarji Desai & Rajiv Gandhi, Commander-in-Chief General K.M.Kariappa. Pre-independence the Viceroy and Vicereine of India Lord & Lady Irwin and Lady Willingdon also visited.
caption: Manasthamba
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