Mahavira Jain temple, Jain temple in Osian, India
Mahavira temple is a Jain sanctuary in Osian with a central statue of Lord Mahavira in meditation posture within the main shrine. Painted storyboards show scenes from the Tirthankara's life, and throughout the temple you find Vidyadevi sculptures depicting musicians playing traditional instruments.
The sanctuary was founded in the 5th century BC and ranks among the oldest surviving Jain temples in Western India. Its current form came about through extensive rebuilding in the 11th and 12th centuries.
The temple holds deep meaning for the Oswal Jain community, who gather here for prayer and celebration. The arrangement of seven smaller shrines around the main sanctuary reflects how pilgrims move through the space in a circular path during worship.
The temple sits about 65 kilometers from Jodhpur and welcomes visitors throughout the year. It is helpful to arrive early in the morning to enjoy the best light for viewing the shrine details and to avoid crowds.
The central statue in the main shrine is covered with about 400 grams of gold, giving it a gleaming appearance. This gilding is rare for temples of such age and shows the reverence placed upon this site.
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