Nakoda, Jain temple in Nakoda village, Rajasthan, India
Nakoda is a Jain temple in Rajasthan's Barmer district, located atop a hill and containing multiple shrines with intricate marble carvings. The main sanctuary houses a black stone statue of Parshvanath in lotus position, surrounded by other sacred chambers within the complex.
The site was originally called Virampur and was established in the third century when brothers Virasen and Nakoresen built shrines dedicated to different Tirthankaras. The hundreds of inscriptions on the walls record how people renovated and maintained the complex over many centuries.
Pilgrims gather here during the annual Poush Krishna Dashami festival to celebrate Parshvanath's birth and offer prayers together. This gathering shows how the site remains deeply meaningful to visitors and the local community.
You can reach the temple by regular bus services from major Rajasthan cities, with a railway station nearby in Balotra. The walk uphill to the top takes some effort, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time for the climb.
The temple sits on an elevated hilltop, giving visitors wide views of the surrounding dry landscape and distant horizons. This high vantage point lets you see far across the Rajasthan desert terrain.
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