Shobnath Jain Temple, Uttar Pradesh

Address

Shobnath Jain Temple, Rajgarh Gulahriya, Uttar Pradesh 271805

Diety

Sambhavanatha

Introduction

At a distance of 2.5 km from Shravasti Bus Station, Shobnath Temple is an ancient Jain temple situated at the entrance of Mahet in Shravasti. Situated on the way to Anathapindika Stupa, it is one of the famous Jain temples in India, and among the important places to visit in Shravasti. The old temple of Shobnath located at Shravasti is dedicated to Jain Tirthankara Sambhavnath. Shobnath Temple is a highly spiritual shrine for the Jain devotees as the temple.

Puranic Significance

Shravasti was ruled by Jain king from 9th—10th century such as Mayurdhwaj (900 CE), Hansdhwaj (925 CE), Makardhwaj (950 CE), Sudhavadhwaj (975 CE) and Suhridhwaj (1000 CE). Harivamsa Purana, composed by Jain acharya Jinasena in 783 CE, narrates the installation images of Kamadeva and Rati by Kamadatta in front of the temple. Kartik Purnima is the primary festival of this temple. Shobhnath temple is mentioned in the Vividha Tirtha Kalpa composed by Jinaprabha Suri in 14th century. Amongst those numerous Jain temples in Shravasti, the Shobhnath Temple is a highly revered shrine. Situated near the entrance of Mahet, the temple is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Sambhavnath – the third Jain Tirthankar. The popular pilgrimage site in Shravasti is erected on a rectangular platform which includes different strata( layer of sedimentary rock ). Since its inception, the temple has undergone numerous additions and extensions. The main attraction of this Jain shrine is the dome-shaped roof which is made up of Lakhuri bricks. However, the dome was added later in the medieval period. The interior of the temple is beautifully adorned with images of deities. On the north-west and south-west corners of the temple, there lie the remains of two rectangular rooms. This religious site in Shravasti also houses sculptures of Jain Tirthankars in seated and standing postures which were recovered in the excavation process. Not just this, the excavation carried on this site also revealed the remains of three temples in the region where Lord Chandra Prabhu – the 8th Tirthankar said to have meditated.