Sonagiri

Sonagiri (Hindi: सोनागिरी) about 60 km from Gwalior, has scores of Jain temples dating from the 9th century onwards. It is located in the Datia district of Madhya Pradesh, India. This location is popular among devotees and ascetic saints to practice self-discipline, austerity and to attain Moksha (salvation or liberation). This place also has a Jain museum.[1]

For other uses, see Sonagiri (disambiguation).

Sonagiri Jain Tirth
  • सोनागिरी (Hindi)
  • Shri Digamber Jain Siddha Shetra Sonagiri
Sonagiri Jain Tirth
Religion
AffiliationJainism
DeityChandraprabhu
FestivalsMahavir Jayanti
Governing bodyShri Dig. Jain Siddha Shetra Sonagiri Samrakshini Committee
Location
LocationDatia, Datia district, Madhya Pradesh
Architecture
Date established9th century
Temple(s)103
Website
www.terapanthikothisonagir.com
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Etymology

In Hindi, Sonagiri means a mountain ('giri') of gold ('sona').[2][3]

Significance
Image of Chandraprabhu Bhagwan at Sonagiri.

According to Jain texts, since the time of Chandraprabhu (the 8th Teerthankar), five and half crores of ascetic saints have achieved moksha (liberation) here. The place is considered sacred by devotees. There is a 3 metres (9.8 ft) rock cut image of Chandraprabhu dating back to 5th to 6th century.[4] There are a total of 103 temples with 77 on hill and 26 in village.[5] The Samavsharan of Bhagwan Chandraprabhu came here seventeen times. Nang, Anang, Chintagati, Poornachand, Ashoksen, Shridatta, Swarnbhadra and many other saints achieved salvation here. This is a unique place known as Laghu Sammed Shikhar covering the area of 132 acres of two hills. There are 77 Jain temples with high spires, Temple number 57 is the main temple among them. Acharya Shubh Chandra and Bhartrihari lived and worked here for spiritual achievements.

Main Temple and Idol

Temple Number 57 is the main temple. This is vast in size and possess an attractive artistic spire. In this temple the principal deity is Lord Chandraprabha, 11 feet in height and two other idols of Lord Sheetalnath and Parsvanatha are installed. There is a column of dignity (Manstambh) near the temple at 43 feet in height and a model of Samavsharan.

Location

Sonagiri can be accessed via Dabra-Datia Road. This also lies on Gwalior-Jhansi Road. Sonagiri Railway Station lies on Agra-Jhansi rail line.

  • Jain temples, Sonagiri hill
  • Sonagiri Jain temple
  • Jain Temples on Sonagiri Hill, woodcut engraving of 1899
  • Sonagiri Jain temple
  • Jain temple at Songiri

See also

References

Citation
  1. Hudson & Nicholls 1975, p. 267.
  2. kuchalambal 2016, p. 374.
  3. Deccan Herald & On a spiritual quest.
  4. Titze & Klaus 1998, p. 128.
  5. Mitra 2009, p. 75.

Source
  • Titze, Kurt; Bruhn, Klaus (1998). Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence (2 ed.). Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-1534-3.
  • kuchalambal, Abhitha (2016), Tales Told to the Tooth Goddess, Partridge Publishing, ISBN 9781482819656
  • Mallick, Anurag; Ganapathy, Priya (2015), On a spiritual quest, Deccan Herald
  • "On a spiritual quest". Deccan Herald. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  • Mitra, Swati (2009), Orchha, Travel Guide, Goodearth Publications, ISBN 9788187780915
  • Hudson, Kenneth; Nicholls, Ann (1975), Directory of Museums, Springer, ISBN 9781349014880

Columbia University in the city of New York - Sonagiri


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