Ahichchhatra Jain temples

Ahichchhatra Jain temples form a compound in Bareilly featuring multiple buildings with intricate marble carvings, statues, and seven ceremonial platforms distributed across the grounds. The complex combines structures from different periods and integrates religious function with detailed artistic ornamentation.

The site shows traces spanning over 2000 years from archaeological findings linked to Indo-Scythian, Kushan, and Gupta periods. Ancient Jain inscriptions demonstrate that this location held sacred importance from early times in the region's religious history.

The temples mark a place where Parshvanatha, a key spiritual teacher in Jainism, is said to have reached enlightenment according to faith traditions. Visitors can observe how pilgrims honor this sacred moment through daily rituals and prayers within the temple spaces.

The grounds welcome visitors throughout the year, though March draws thousands for the main annual celebration. Visiting outside the festival period allows for a more relaxed exploration of the structures and spaces.

The main shrine contains 720 individual statues representing all 24 Tirthankaras arranged around a central marble figure completed in the early 2000s. This collection reflects the importance followers place on honoring all enlightened masters at this sacred location.