Budhi Chanderi Digamber Jain Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Address

Budhi Chanderi Digamber Jain Temple, Goodar Bamore Rd, Budhi Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh 473446

Diety

Tirthankara

Introduction

Budhi Chanderi was only about 16 km from Chanderi, the ASI Museum of Chanderi was associated with the place of Budhi Chanderi. The town of Budhi Chanderi (Old Chanderi) is believed to be the town of Chaidnagar which finds its mention in the Puranas, signifying its antiqueness. The Old Chanderi lies inside the forested area and is believed to house more than 55 Jain and Hindu temples, most of which are in ruins. The ASI has collected more than 2500 artifacts from Budhi Chanderi and its surrounding areas, most of which are preserved at the ChanderiMuseum. The temples here are believed to have been built between 9th – 11th centuries by the Pratihara kings.

Puranic Significance

The complex confirmed it to be Jain temple complex and the same was evident from the images and sculptures here. The architecture is similar to that of the Badoh Pathari Jain temple. Sadly, the ASI has repeated its shoddy restoration work here, with the walls resembling a jigsaw puzzle. Nevertheless, it has been successful in bringing back the temple complex to shape, but still its ruins remain. All the five temples here are dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras in this temple complex.