Rohtak Sarai Mohalla Jain Mandir

Shri 1008 Digambar Jain Mandir is located in Sarai Mohalla near the railway station in Rohtak. It is approximately one kilometer from the railway station and about two kilometers from the bus stand. The temple was constructed by the Jain community over 400 years ago. At that time, the temple had only one Vedi (altar), but later, after the Panchkalyanak (consecration ceremony) in the temple, other Vedi were also established. In the Mool (main) Vedi of the temple, along with the Moolnayak Pratima (main deity’s idol) of Shri Mahavir bhagwan ji, other idols are also enshrined. The second Vedi of the temple belongs to Shri Neminath Bhagwan ji, where a 739-year-old Chaubisi Pratima of Neminath Bhagwan is enshrined.

“It is believed that the idol was consecrated in Nepal based on the date inscribed on it.”

In the third Vedi of the temple, idols of Shri Parshvanath Bhagwan ji along with Chaubisi Pratima made of stone and Ashtadhatu (eight metals) are established. The fourth Vedi of the temple belongs to Shri Bahubali Bhagwan, whose Panchkalyanak took place in 1971 under the presence of Acharya Shri Surajmal Ji Maharaj. In 1983, under the presence of Acharya Shri Surajmal Ji Maharaj, the fifth Vedi of Shri Parshvanath bhagwan ji was consecrated. This idol of Shri Parshvanath Bhagwan ji was brought from the Jain temple in Charkhi Dadri. In the sixth Vedi of the temple, idols of Shri Mahavir bhagwan and in the seventh Vedi, idols of Shri Parshvanath Bhagwan are enshrined. The temple also houses Vedi of Mata Padmavati Ji and Kshetrapal Baba Ji. The name of each Vedi and the deity enshrined therein is inscribed on the outer door of each Vedi. Inside the Shikhar (spire) of the temple, there is a magnificent depiction of Jinendra Bhagwan, which is both ancient and beautiful. The temple's Garbh Grah (sanctum sanctorum) is adorned with exquisite Jain artwork depicting various religious and historical narratives such as Emperor Chandragupta's dreams, Bharat Chakravarti's dreams, and the renunciation of Shri Neminath Bhagwan. Such artwork helps preserve the Jain cultural heritage and aids people in experiencing spiritual and cultural enrichment. Within the temple premises stands a 31-foot tall Manastambh. Devotees visit the temple daily to perform worship rituals and offer Abhishek (auspicious bath of the idol). Located approximately one kilometer from the temple is the Shri Mahavir Park and Library. The acquisition of land for the library was spearheaded by the respected Shri Rajesh Jain. The struggle for acquiring the land began about 17 to 18 years ago when construction had already commenced on the site. However, the land was forcibly acquired by the municipal corporation. Shri Rajesh Jain filed a case against the municipal corporation, claiming rightful ownership of the land he had purchased. After fighting the legal battle for about 11 to 12 years, Shri Rajesh Jain finally gained possession of the land. In 2014, the construction of the Mahavir Library was completed on the site. The library houses over eight thousand Jain, non-Jain, political, economic, encyclopedic, and other books. The library membership fee is Rs. 1500 per year. For the convenience of readers, the library is equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and computers. Every day, 250 to 300 readers visit the library to acquire invaluable knowledge.