Pareshnath Jain Temple

The magnificent Pareshnath Jain Temple is located to the North East of Kolkata at the bustling Badridas Temple Street. The temple is dedicated to Pareshnath, who was the 23rd Jain Tirthankar, and was built way back in the year 1867. Ever since its inception, this temple has been the primary place of worship for the burgeoning Jain community of Kolkata.

It is not an ordinary run-of-the-mill temple. In fact, devout Jains from other parts of India and abroad pour in to the temple throughout the year. In the sanctum sanctorum, the deity of Lord Shitalnathji is seated and his diamond studded forehead draws visitors from far and near. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, there is a lamp which has been perpetually burning ever since the temple's inception in the year 1867. Thus, the lamp has been a silent witness to many astounding events that have occurred in India and around the world in the past century and a half.

Apart from Lord Shitalnathji's shrine, there are three other shrines dedicated to Chanda Prabhujidev, Dadaji Garu and Kushalji Maharaj and the last temple is dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankar who was a contemporary of Lord Buddha.

The interiors of the temple are lavishly decorated with high quality mirrors and glasses. The quintessential Jain temple chandeliers (Jhar Battis) too make their presence felt at the main temple. The floor is intricately paved with marble. Particularly eye catching is the exquisite paintings of renowned painter Ganesh Muskare that adorns the walls of the temple. The first time visitor to this stupendous temple will be enthralled by the sheer opulence viz-a-viz the lavish use of crystals, diamonds and other precious metals.

If the interiors of the temple is astoundingly beautiful, the outdoors are captivating to say the least, surrounded as it is with many hued flower gardens and sparkling fountains that jets out waters in perfect synchronization. There is a well-maintained reservoir, which further accentuates the surrounding beauty. Colorful fishes swarm the surface of the glistening water at the slightest hint of food grains.

To put things into perspective, the Pareshnath Jain Temple is indeed an incredible place where the spiritual and the natural coexist in a delicate harmony.

Source: Wikipedia

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