Anjaneri Jain Temple, Maharashtra

Address

Anjaneri Jain Temple, Anjannary Hanuman Janmabhumi Rd, Maharashtra 422213

Diety

Aadinatha

Introduction

Anjaneri is situated about 23 Kilometers apart from Nasik City in the west direction whereas it is situated 31 kilometers apart from Jain pilgrimage center Gajpantha or Chamar leni. The place is reckoned for its antique archaeological legacy of Jainism in the form of structural temples and Jain cave temples. Anjaneri group of temples are situated from 1 kilometer from the main road connecting to Trimbak and Nasik. There are Jain temples as well as Hindu temples situated in the vicinity of the village. There were about 5 Jain temples at once in the past but now almost all are ruined and dilapidated under the cruel hands of time. The vestiges of Jain temples are scattered everywhere in the region.

Puranic Significance

A Jina sculpture of perhaps Aadinatha is situated under the sky on a platform of stones at the roadside. The platform is created at the place where once a Jain temple existed and now only some artifacts and lintels are remaining at the place. It is said that sculpture is miraculous and it can’t be shifted to a Shrine without the will of Almighty Lord Jinendra. On another face of the road, there is a Jain temple confined to its boundary wall to protect it from encroachers, the temple is not a big structure and its Mukhamandapa is absent today. Pillars and entry door with lintel are decorated by Jina Tirthankara Images in Kayotsarga posture, Yakshini sculptures, and kudus in lintels. The biggest Jain temple along with the 12th-century inscription of Seunadev is situated beside the first temple. This temple is also guarded by iron wires. The whole artifacts and vestiges including sculptures of Hindu -Jain creed are kept in the compound of the temple. Basically, the temple is the biggest structure of Anjaneri and dedicated to Jaina creed of Noninjury. The temple has also two more Jain temples which are in dilapidated condition. Jain temple is a pillared structure whose pillars are well decorated and cubical shape at the bottom whereas cylindrical at the top. The pillars are ornamented with chains and kudus. The mandapa with pillars leads us to the sanctum which has an ornamented doorway by Teerthankara figure and yakshini sculptures.