Lost in thought are you? Imagine being a disciple of Dada Gurudev. It is the 13th century. You are standing before the Dadabari Jain Mandir in Delhi. This is no ordinary temple. It’s a place with a story etched in time.
The Dadabari Jain Mandir is believed to be the oldest Jain temple in Delhi. Its origins trace back over 800 years. This white marble shrine honors Manidhari Dada Gurudev Shri Jinachandra Suri Ji. He was a Jain mystic saint.
Shri Jinachandra Suri was born Surya Kumar in 1140 AD. He renounced the world at age six. By nine he was already an acharya. He traveled fulfilling his duties as a monk. He avoided Delhi. His guru had prophesized his death upon arrival.
The ruler Raja Madanpal Tomar insisted on a visit. Dada Gurudev relented. He spent his last days in Delhi. He died at the age of 26.
Before his death Dada Gurudev gave instructions. He told his disciples not to set his body down. The only exception was the cremation site. Failure to follow this would mean they couldn’t move his remains.
Exhausted his followers set the body down. They were considerate of believers who wanted to pay respects. They could not lift the body again. Soldiers, elephants, and horses failed. Dada Gurudev Jinachandra Ji was cremated there. His samadhi was constructed later. The temple stands at that location.
The Dadabari Jain Mandir stands half a kilometer from the Mehrauli-Gurugram Road. It has large silver gateways and carved marble arches. One shrine features colorful mirror work that glimmers beautifully. Paintings illustrate Jain stories. A corridor depicts scenes from Dada Guru’s life. The campus can host 300 people.
Behind the temple is an artificial hillock. Shrines of Jain Tirthankars scatter across it. Thousands of devotees visit during Jain festivals. They pay their respects to the saint.
The temple has an open courtyard. A corridor surrounds it. Numerous cells hold small idols of the Tirthankaras. The entrance is through a marble arched gateway. It leads to the verandah and temple complex.
The temple uses white marble. Pillars are carved with exquisite detail. Richly carved brackets form a square structure. The square creates chambers. These serve as small chapels. They contain images of deities.
The main temple has a Manastambha. A path for circumambulation exists inside. It’s planned on the concept of vedis in one hall. Big and small vedi are in the surroundings.
Richly carved corridors adorn the Jain Mandir Dadabari. Pillars, arches, and mandapa add to its beauty. A big hall and vedi are in the garbhagriha. The marble ceiling is decorated with glass work. Central pendants resemble chandeliers. The main deity is placed there. Above is a Shikhara with Urushikharas and Amalaka. A Kalasha crowns the top.
Interior ceilings feature glass and silver artwork. Lotus buds, petals, flowers, and Jain scenes decorate the ceiling. Extensive glazed mirror work stands out. One room is adorned with plain and stained glass work. Paintings depict Jain stories. One shows Neminath’s marriage procession. It also depicts his dejection and his fiancee following him to the saintly world. A corridor shows Dada Guru’s life stories. Glass murals depict stories from the Guru’s life. Other fables from Indian culture are present. Carvings and molds adorn walls lacking glass or silver work. The back wall depicts stories and characters. Small shrines of Jain Tirthankars are placed within the complex.
The principal impression is the variety of sections in harmony. Columns support the roof. They join with bracket-type raking struts. Spires are built on horizontal courses. Diminishing squares are laid diagonally. They reach each other with Amalaka. Kalasha crowns the top.
A big hall on the ground floor hosts programs. Small rooms are used for other purposes. The temple is a recent RCC construction. It has white marble cladding. It modifies the traditional temple plan while maintaining its character.
Remember the story of Dada Gurudev as you leave. His legacy lives on in this sacred space. It is a testament to faith and devotion.