Ambala Bada Jain Mandir

An incident often narrated by local residents is that, in the temple there used to be a Nitya Shastar-Sabha where members of the Ambala Jain community used to come. The proceedings of the Shastar-Sabha were led by Pandit Shri Mangal Sen Ji (Visharad). The Shastar-Sabha used to take place in the evening. Locals recall that there was always an unknown person present in the Shastar-Sabha. No one ever questioned him. These were the days when oil lamps were the only means of illumination. Once, during a Shastar-Sabha, Pandit Mangal Sen Ji forgot to refill the lamp with oil. As the oil ran out, the lamp began to dim slowly. Pandit Mangal Sen Ji asked someone from the Shastar-Sabha to refill the lamp. At that moment, the unknown person sitting behind extended his hand and refilled the lamp with oil from there only. Everyone present there was astonished and scared upon witnessing this act. It is said that after that day, the person never attended the gathering again.

“People believe that due to the Atishay (divine occurrence) of the idols, even Dev would sometimes visit the Shastar-Sabha, and that person was indeed a Dev.”

Similarly, during the Chaturmas of Jain Saints in the Shri Digambar Jain Bada Mandir in Gur Bazar, it is said that there have been instances of saffron showers inside the temple.

The construction of the Shri 1008 Digambar Jain Mandir in Gur Bazar incurred an expenditure of approximately 3 crore rupees. This temple was built with great love and devotion, which is evident from its appearance. Made from special marble from Makrana and red stone from Dholpur, Shri Digambar Jain Mandir in Gur Bazar consists of three Vedi. Within this complex, there are two main temples, with the older one referred to as the Bada Mandir Ji. This temple has three Vedi, while the other temple, known as the Chota Mandir Ji, has seven Vedi. In the Bada Mandir Ji of Gur Bazar, there is also a magnificent hall where three standing idol representations of Jinendar Bhagwan are established. Recently, the stories related to the Jain community have been depicted on the walls through stone carvings, providing a sense of peace and devotion to the observer. Additionally, an 8 by 6 feet silver gate has been constructed in the Gur Bazar temple, procured from Rajasthan. This silver gate adds charm to the temple, adorning the glory of the temple.

A short distance from the temple, near Sadar Bazar (Ambala Cantt), behind Hargolal, is the Shri Digambar Jain Dharamshala located on Cross Road 4. It offers a total of 16 rooms with air conditioning. The Dharamshala is affiliated with the Bada Jain Mandir and the Chota Jain Mandir in Gur Bazar. It features two large halls suitable for all kinds of auspicious occasions, along with two rooms equipped with double beds and sofas. The Dharamshala also has a receptionist service and the convenience of a lift. It provides facilities similar to those of a large hotel, ensuring cleanliness and hygiene. The Dharamshala is available to people from all walks of life. For local residents, the Shri Digambar Jain Dharamshala serves as an important facility. The management of the Dharamshala is handled by the Shri Digambar Jain Sabha Gur Bazar.

The Jain community in Ambala Cantt has also made significant contributions to the welfare of society. Several Jain Saints have visited the city from time to time. Every year, grand Rath Yatra are held during Jain festivals in which people from all walks of life participate. There are more than five hundred Digambar Jain families in the region. Additionally, even the Jain Shwetamber community is present in Ambala. There is a beautiful arrangement for temples in Ambala Cantt, where the management of all the temples in the area is handled by the Shri Digambar Jain Sabha Gur Bazar. The Jain community has actively participated in various local activities and undertaken numerous initiatives for the benefit of the local society.

1. The construction of Shri A.D. Jain Lord Mahavir Jain Public School in Ambala Cantt was completed in 1995, with over 4000 students enrolled.

2. Jain Girls Senior Secondary School on Staff Road, Ambala Cantt, was built between 1930 and 1935.

3. There is also a Physiotherapy Center in the area, which is 20-30 years old and was constructed by the Jain community.

Ambala is divided into two sub-regions known as Ambala City and Ambala Cantt (Cantonment). It is situated on the border of Haryana and Punjab, approximately 200 kilometers north of the capital city Delhi, on the Sher Shah Suri Marg (National Highway 1). The city of Ambala is separated by two rivers, Ghaggar and the Tangri. Ambala City's railway junction is an integral part of northern India. Ambala is also known as a city of scientific instruments. It is an important industrial city known for the manufacturing of scientific instruments, sewing machines, mixers, and machinery, as well as for cotton ginning, flour milling, and handloom industries. Both Ambala Cantt and Ambala City are notable in terms of these industries.

The origin of the name Ambala might have been derived from Ambalika of the Mahabharata. Another belief is that there were many mango groves (Amba in Hindi) in the area, leading to its name Ambala. In modern times, Ambala is renowned for its production of scientific equipment and mixer industries. It is also referred to as the "Science City" due to its concentration of scientific instrument industries. Almost 40% of India's scientific instruments are manufactured in Ambala.