Digambara Jain Temple is situated in Kundalgiri District in Madhya Pradesh. The city of Damoh is located 35 km and the city Sagar is almost 113 km away. Kundalpur is the birth place of Lord Mahavira. The place is known for its natural and scenic beauty. From a distant place the series of elevated temples looks very pleasing to eyes. These towering temples add beauty to this natural place. The temple is managed by Shri Digamber Jain Siddha Kshetra Kundalgiri Prabandhakarini Samiti.
The colossus of the first Tirthankara Bhagwan Adinath also known as Bhagwan Rishabh Dev is situated here. The idol is seated in a Padmasana posture and is 15 feet in height. It is also famous as a place of salvation of Antim Kevali Shridhar Kevali. Along with many idols of Jain Tirthankaras, the colossus of Bhagwan Rishabh Dev was installed in the temple in the 10th - 11th and 11th - 12th century. Apart from these temples there are 63 temples of various types. Among these temples the 22nd temple is famous for Bhagwan Adinath and the 49th temple is known as Jal Mandir. It is an attractive temple located in the middle of a beautiful pond Vardhaman Sagar. There are many inscriptions written on these idols. According to these inscriptions Kundalpur had been famous as Teerth Kshetra during the year 1554 A.D. There are 40 temples on hill and remaining 23 in valley. Temples ranging from 41 to 47 are small in size while temples ranging from 48 to 60 are big with beautiful spires.
The Sky high Manstambha located in the middle of the field of Dharmshala is also worth watching. Samavsharan Mandir is another temple is also beautifully designed. In this temple four Black attractive idols of Jain Tirthankaras have been installed. These idols are 2 feet in height.
History of Digambara Jain Temple
According to the history of Digambara Jain Temple the warrior of Bundelkhand Maharaj Chhatrasal had been successful in capturing his lost kingdom after praying to Bhagwan Rishabh Dev. After this incident Maharaj Chhatrasal constructed the temple. One Mugal Emperor tried to destroy the idol of Bhagwan Rishabh Dev. It is believed that when he stroked on the thumb of colossus, milk flooded out from thumb and at the same time dense flocks of honey bees attacked on invaders and pushed them to run away. The emperor then begged pardon from the Lord.
Idols of Digambara Jain Temple
The idol of Rishabh Dev is a rare piece of art. Apart from this idol, two other idols of Gomukha Yaksha and Chakreshwary Devi are carved in the back.
Idol of Lord Parsvanath are also constructed on both sides of idol of Rishabh Dev. The idol of Lord Parsvanath is 12 feet in height. Images of foot of Antim Shridhar Kevali are also installed in this temple who achieved salvation (Nirvana) from Kundalgiri.
A big magnificent temple Keerti Stambha is also located near the main temple where eight idols of Lord Mahavira are installed. The interiors of the temple have been beautifully carved that portrays the 16 dreams seen by Mother Trishala, the mother of Lord Mahavira. In an umbrella, foot images of Gautam Ganadhara, the chief Ganadhara of Lord Mahavira and Acharya Bhatta Akalanka Dev have been here. There is an art gallery of pictures and photos that are related to the life of Lord Mahavira.
On the days Magha Shukla 11 to 15 every year a historical religious festival is organized in the memory of construction of Bhagwan Rishabh Dev by Maharaj Chhatrasal. Apart from this every year from Chaitra Shukla 12 to 14 Janmotsava of Lord Mahavira (Annual Fair) is also held every year.
