Parasnath Jain Temple in Kolkata

The Pareshnath Jain temple of Kolkata is one of the most revered and holy shrines of the Jains in Kolkata. The temple is known not only for its enthralling beauty but also for its spiritual atmosphere that attracts a lot of faithful devotees. Along with the interiors, the temple premise is also very scenic with a beautiful garden decorated with blocks of glass mosaics and silver European-styled statues. The garden is surrounded with a huge variety of flowers. There are also many fountains that look brilliant when water gushes out of them in perfect harmonization. A well-maintained reservoir, adds up to the surrounding beauty with colorful fish swimming the surface of the glistening water. The whole environment of the temple radiates much peace and serenity that has a very calming effect on the mind, body and spirit.

The temple is devoted to Pareshnath, who was the 23rd Jain Tirthankar. Besides the Pareshnath Temple, the temple complex also houses four other temples, devoted to four different holy preachers, who are regarded as Avatars by the Jains. One of the major attractions of the temple is a lamp, which is burning with ghee perpetually inside the sanctum sanctorum, since the inception of the temple in 1867.

The temple is dedicated to Parasnath, 23rd Jain Tirthankara. In the sanctorum, the idol of the deity Lord Shitalnathji is present in a seated posture. The forehead of the statue is diamond studded which enthralls devotees coming from across the globe. There are three other shrines in the temple apart from Lord Shitalnathji. They are dedicated to the sages Chanda Prabhuji dev, Dadaji Garu and Kushalji Maharaj. There is also another temple which is dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara and a contemporary of Lord Buddha.

The temple has a lamp burning since the time of its construction. Attached to the temple, there is also a library which offers an opportunity to study and learn about Jainism and Jain literature. The Parasnath Jain Temple in Kolkata is open for public visits from 6 A.M. – 12 P.M. and 3 P.M. – 7 P.M. The place is well communicated by private and public busses, cabs and underground metro. The nearest metro station is Belgachia which is few meters away from the temple.

Religious Places in Calcutta

Religious Places in Calcutta, India’s second-largest city, located on India’s Eastern Coast, boasts of being an artistic, cultural and intellectual capital of the country. Its streets and bylanes are vivid, hectic, chaotic, and yet, brimming with life and creativity, and soaked in layers of heritage and culture. The city served as the erstwhile capital of the British empire before the government was shifted to Delhi, and thus features a unique touch of its royal past lingering in every nook and cranny. The metropolitan city is famous for its vibrant cultural and historical places and ethnicity and is a divine hub for innumerable temples, many of which are extensive pilgrimage sites.