Panipat Chota Jain Mandir
Outside the Vedi, there is a depiction of the sixteen dreams seen by the mother of Tirthankar, portrayed through golden paintings.
The temple is efficiently managed by the local Jain residents. The active members of the temple are as follows :
Introduction
Shri 1008 Bhagwan Mahavir Swami Digambar Jain Mandir, also known as the Chota Jain Mandir, is located a short distance away from the Bada Jain Mandir in Jain Mohalla, Panipat. The actual year of construction and who built the temple cannot be confirmed. According to local Jain residents from earlier times, the construction of the temple was commissioned by a wealthy individual nearly 200 years ago. It is said that a Jain Seth built more than 100 Jain temples across India. Wherever he went, he ensured the construction of a Jain temple. And after the completion of the temple, he used to leave the construction work of staircases pending. If someone asked him about the staircases, he would say that he had run out of funds for constructing staircases, and ultimately, this task should be completed by the Jain community. That was his goal. Because Seth did not want his name to be inscribed on the temple for its construction. Wherever temples he had built, he has named them as "Panchayati Mandir". The objective behind naming them "Panchayati Mandir" was to signify that the construction of the temple was not done by just one person but by the entire community. Speaking of the current state of the temple, the Chota Jain Mandir Ji primarily consists of two Vedi (altar), one dedicated to Shri Mahavir Swami and the other to Jinavani Mata. In the mool (main) Vedi, there are idols of Shri Mahavir Bhagwan ji, Shri Parshvanath Bhagwan ji, Shri Suparshvanath Bhagwan ji, Shri Neminath Bhagwan ji, Shri Chandraprabhu bhagwan ji, and Siddh Bhagwan.
“Outside the Vedi, there is a depiction of the sixteen dreams seen by the mother of Tirthankar, portrayed through golden paintings.”
On the outer door of the Vedi, there are depictions of offerings by Shri Indra, such as a shower of flowers, gems, waving of fans, and playing of celestial drums, symbolizing worship of the deity. The craftsmanship of these depictions is exquisite. The temple also houses a Jain scripture repository, often regarded as one of the largest Jain libraries in Haryana. People from distant places come here to study scriptures. This repository contains ancient scriptures written in Sanskrit and Urdu languages dating back thousands of years. The repository is now named as Mata Shri Kaushal Sadhana Kaksha. Additionally, there is a beautiful Vedi dedicated to Jinavani Mata within the scripture repository.
Jain Samaj
In Panipat, the Jain community consists of 100 to 150 families. Despite the relatively small number, the Jain community actively participates in various social programs. Due to the dispersion of the Jain community across different areas in Panipat, Digambar Jain temples are also constructed in different regions. Despite being in different areas, all temples are managed by the Panipat Pachranga Bazar Bada Mandir Digambar Jain Committee. The committee ensures the convenience of the devotees visiting the temple, especially during rituals like worship, cleansing, and Abhishek (auspicious bath of the idol), by providing necessary facilities. For the convenience of Jain pilgrims visiting from outside, a Shri Digambar Jain Dharmashala has been constructed near the temple premises. The Dharmashala offers seven rooms and two large halls for accommodation.
Furthermore, parking facilities are available for the vehicles of pilgrims coming from distant areas. Within the temple premises, facilities like Tyagi Bhavan and Aahar halls have been constructed for the stay of Jain Saints. The committee also operates a homeopathic center within the temple premises, providing appropriate medicines at nominal charges. Additionally, a Jain Kids School up to the 5th grade is located within the temple premises, providing education to children.
History
Panipat is an ancient and historical city located in the state of Haryana, India. This city has been a center for many important events in Indian history. The ancient name of Panipat was 'Paniprasth'. It is situated on National Highway 1, which connects Delhi and Chandigarh. Panipat falls within the National Capital Region and is located about 90 kilometers north of Delhi. According to Jain literature, Panipat was also known as “Panipath Durgh” during ancient times. Three significant battles were fought in Panipat in the years 1526, 1556, and 1761. The language spoken in Panipat is Haryanvi. Panipat is a part of the National Capital Region. There are many historical sites in Panipat, such as the Panipat Fort, the tomb of Ibrahim Lodi, the tomb of Abdali, and others. In modern times, Panipat has become an important industrial center. Several industries have been established here, contributing significantly to its economy. Panipat also holds a special place in tourism due to its numerous historical sites, attracting tourists. Panipat is a treasure trove of Indian cultural heritage, where festivals, fairs, and religious events are also given importance. The Panipat region holds significance from historical, cultural, and economic perspectives. Its historical evidence, major battles, and cultural heritage have made it a special place.
Know something about this temple?
Spot something missing or incorrect, or have extra info to share? Let us know and our team will take a look.
The temple is efficiently managed by the local Jain residents. The active members of the temple are as follows :