Nareli Jain Temple, Jain temple in Ajmer, India

Nareli is a Jain temple in the Aravalli hills near Ajmer with 24 smaller shrines made of white marble surrounding a central structure. The stone carvings throughout are detailed and the complex spreads across the hillside terrain.

The temple was built in the early 2000s by marble industry founder Ashok Patni and shows a modern interpretation of traditional Jain architecture. The project emerged from a desire to create a contemporary religious structure in Rajasthan.

The complex is a Digambar Jain pilgrimage site called Shri Gyanodaya Tirth Kshetra, with 24 small Jinalayas, one for each Tirthankar, arranged around the main temple. The signboards at the entrance read "कमलादित्य सूरिजी रा.स.संघ", marking the site as a centre of the community. The Rough Guide describes the architecture as mixing traditional and contemporary styles.

The temple sits about 7 kilometers outside Ajmer on National Highway 8 and is open daily to visitors. You should be prepared for hillside walking and wear sturdy footwear.

The complex holds 24 small Jinalayas, one for each of the 24 tirthankars, arranged around the main shrine; the Rough Guide counted 23 miniature temples lined up on the hill above. The temple was estimated at 50 crore rupees but cost close to 100 crore. Ashok Patni of RK Marbles funded it, and Deepak Jain and his family completed the work begun by Dinnath ji Jain.