Nakodaji

Nakodaji
Shree Jain Shwetambar Nakoda Parshwanath Tirth
Religion
Affiliation	Jainism
Sect	Śvētāmbara
Deity	Parshvanath and Bhairava
Festivals	Posh Dashmi and Mahavir Janam Kalyanak
Governing body	Shri Jain Shwetambar Nakoda Parshwanath Tirth Trust
Location
Location	Nakoda, Balotra, Rajasthan
Geographic coordinates	25°47′17″N72°09′09″E / 25.78806°N 72.15250°E / 25.78806; 72.15250
Architecture
Creator	Sthulabhadra
Date established	3rd century
Temple(s)	17
Website
www.nakodatirth.org

Nakodaji Tirth is a major Jain tirth (pilgrimage site) in the Indian state of Rajasthan, located between the villages of Vikrampura and Nakoda in Barmer District. The temple houses the icon of Nakoda Bhairava, a popular Shvetambara guardian deity.

Main temple

The temple is an important pilgrimage center visited by both Jains and Hindus. ^{[1] [2] [3]} Devotees visit the shrine, especially after marriage. ^[4] The temple is currently administered by Tapa Gaccha (monastic order) of Murtipujaka Svetambara. ^[5]

History

According to Jain legend, the Nakodaji temple was initially built by Jain acharya Sthulabhadra (3rd century BCE). ^[6] However, the current structure was constructed in 11th century CE by Solanki Dynasty . The temple has 246 inscriptions indicating multiple renovations and additions over the centuries. ^[4] The temple was invaded by Alam Shah. However, the central icon of Parshavanatha, along with 120 idols, was safely hidden in a nearby village. In 1449 CE, the central image, along with an icon of Bhairava, was later re-installed in the temple by Acharya Kirtisuri. ^{[7] [8]} The renovation of the temple was commissioned by Kalija. ^[9] An image of Acharya Kirtisuri was installed opposite the Bhairava image by Hetha Shah. ^[10]

The first international seminar on the "yogic tradition of India with special reference to Jain yoga" was held at the India International Centre, and sponsored by Nakodaji Tirth and B. L. Institute of Indology. ^[11]

Architecture

Shikhara

The temple is famous for its architecture. ^[12] It is a large structure with a highly decorated façade. The principal shrine is a large domical structure, with 52 domical sub-shrines along its axis. ^{[13] [6]} The temple is constructed using makrana marble and Jaisalmer's sandstone. The elaborate shikhara of the temple is regarded as a rare example of architectural and sculptural elegance. ^[4] The temple has two life-sized elephant sculptures with riders on either side of its entrance. ^[14] The temple also has bhonyra (underground chamber) housing 35 idols. ^[6]

A goshala (protective shelter for stray cows) is managed by the temple. ^[15] The temple also has a dharamshala equipped with modern facilities, including a bhojanalaya (restaurant). ^[6]

Deities

The central icon, popularly known as Nakoda Parshvanath, is a 24 in (610 mm) black stone idol of Parshvanatha. According to Jain legend, the image was discovered in Nakoda village when a Jain layman had a dream about its presence. However, the icon was not found at the indicated place—the exact location was pointed out by Bhairava in the following dream. ^[16] Nakoda Parshvanath is one of the 108 Parshvanatha icons ^{[17] [note 1]} and is considered one of the most devotionally revered of Parshvanatha. The icons and the images of the deity are installed in the temple and household shrines. According to Jain belief, worshipping replications of the idol is equivalent to worshipping the original icon. ^[19] A fair is organised here on the birth anniversary of Parshvanatha that draws numerous devotees. ^{[4] [6]}

The temple is noted for the worship of the tutelary deity Nakoda Bhairava, who is popular among devotees. ^[20] The Bhairava icon is red in colour, four-armed and has a moustache with a dog as the vahana . He carries in the lower hands a kapala and a damaru and khadga and Trishula in his upper hands. ^[21] Nakoda Bhairava is an important guardian deity within the Svetambara sect. ^{[22] [23] [1]} Nakoda Bhairava is believed to grant the wishes of devotees that make offering there; performing puja (praying) brings prosperity. ^{[12] [5] [24]} Devotees consider the deity a business partner and offer a share of their profits to him. ^[2] Nakoda Bhairava is also linked to tantra and is believed to free people from spirit possession. ^{[25] [26]} The food offering ( prasada ) is an uncommon practice in Jainism. However, at Nakodaji, prasada is offered to Nakoda Bhairava. ^{[note 2] [28]} The prasada is required to be consumed inside the temple and should not be taken outside. ^[29]

There is another sub-shrine near the main shrine housing an idol of Kal Bhairava, Nakoda Bhairava's brother. ^[30]

Other temples

Samosaran temple

Besides the main temple, there are two more: Lachi Bai temple (Rishabhdev temple), and Shantinath temple as well as one dādābadī in the village. ^[6]

Lachi Bai temple was constructed in 1511 CE by Chhalibai, sister of Acharya Jinchandra Suri. The temple is dedicated to Rishabhanatha. ^[9]

Shantinath Jain temple, constructed in the 19th century, is a large structure with a highly decorated façade. The temple features three Nagara style shikhara adorned by amalaka . The temple facade wall has carvings of Laskhmi and Saraswati within separate niches. ^[31]

Dādābadī, built outside the main shrine, is a shrine dedicated to the four Dādā Gurus revered by the Kharatara Gaccha. The shrine also houses an idol of Kal Bhairava. ^[30]

Samosaran temple, built near the main temple, is a depiction of Samavasarana (divine preaching hall of the Tirthankara). ^[32]

See also

• Kesariyaji
• Ranakpur Jain temple
• Dilwara temples

Notes

1. In Shvetambara tradition, there are 108 prominent icons of Parshvanath; each derives its name from a geographical region. ^[18]
2. Prasada is only offered to deities such as Nakoda, and not Tirthankaras. This is because, unlike Tirthankaras, those deities are not liberated. ^[27]

Citations

1. Hiltebeitel 1989, p. 158.
2. Babb 1996, p. 80.
3. Reddy 2022, p. 304.
4. Department of Devasthan.
5. Babb 2013, p. 139.
6. Mehta 1970, p. 131.
7. RTDC.
8. Aukland 2010, p. 109.
9. Lodha 2013, p. 613.
10. Lodha 2013, p. 610.
11. Chapple 2015, p. 10.
12. Weisgrau & Henderson 2016, p. 178.
13. IGNCA, pp. 1–2.
14. IGNCA, p. 1.
15. Directorate Gopalan Rajasthan.
16. Carrithers & Humphrey 1991, p. 207.
17. Aukland 2010, p. 54.
18. Cort 2001, p. 234.
19. Cort 2010, pp. 186.
20. Cort 2010, p. 187.
21. Aukland 2010, pp. 77–79.
22. Wiley 2009, p. 152.
23. Hegewald 2015, p. 125.
24. Panikar 2010, p. 413.
25. White 2018, p. 417.
26. Aukland 2013, p. 125.
27. Babb 1996, pp. 95–96.
28. Kent & Kassam 2013, p. 314.
29. Babb 1996, p. 95.
30. Aukland 2010, p. 26.
31. IGNCA & Shantinath temple.
32. Aukland 2010, p. 45.

Bibliography

Book

• Babb, Lawrence A. (1996), Absent Lord: Ascetics and Kings in a Jain Ritual Culture, University of California Press, ISBN   978-0-520-91708-8
• Babb, Lawrence A. (29 April 2013). Emerald City: The Birth and Evolution of an Indian Gemstone Industry. SUNY Press. ISBN   9781438445885.
• Carrithers, Michael; Humphrey, Caroline (4 April 1991). The Assembly of Listeners: Jains in Society. Cambridge University Press. ISBN   9780521365055.
• Chapple, Christopher Key (14 October 2015). Yoga in Jainism. Routledge. ISBN   9781317572183.
• Cort, John E. (2001), Jains in the World: Religious Values and Ideology in India, Oxford University Press, ISBN   978-0-19-803037-9
• Cort, John E. (2010), Framing the Jina: Narratives of Icons and Idols in Jain History, Oxford University Press, ISBN   978-0-19-538502-1
• Hiltebeitel, Alf (1989), Criminal Gods and Demon Devotees: Essays on the Guardians of Popular Hinduism, SUNY Press, ISBN   978-0-88706-982-6
• Kent, Eliza F.; Kassam, Tazim R. (12 July 2013). Lines in Water: Religious Boundaries in South Asia. Book collections on Project MUSE. Syracuse University Press. ISBN   9780815652250.
• Lodha, Jain Chanchalmal (2013). History of Oswals. Panchshil Publications. ISBN   9788192373027.
• Mehta, Jodh Sinha (1970). Abu to Udapiur. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN   9788120829848.
• Panikar, Agustin (2010). Jainism: History, Society, Philosophy and Practice. Lala Sunder Lal Jain research series. Vol. 24. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN   978-81-208-3460-6.
• Reddy, Pedarapu Chenna (2022). Nagabharana: Recent Trends in Jainism Studies. Blue Rose Publishers. ISBN   978-93-56114-46-3.
• Weisgrau, Maxine; Henderson, Carol (23 March 2016). Raj rhapsodies: tourism, heritage and the seduction of history. New Directions in Tourism Analysis. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-3170-7161-7.
• White, David Gordon (2018). Princeton University Press. Princeton Readings in Religions. Vol. 7. Princeton University Press. ISBN   978-0-691-05779-8.
• Wiley, Kristi L. (2009). The A to Z of Jainism. Vol. 38. Scarecrow Press. ISBN   978-0-8108-6337-8.

Web

• Aukland, Knut (1 January 2013). "Understanding Possession in Jainism: A Study of Oracular Possession in Nakoda". Modern Asian Studies. 47 (1). Cambridge University Press: 109–134. doi:10.1017/S0026749X1200039X. JSTOR   23359781. S2CID   145722331 . Retrieved 10 May 2022.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
• Aukland, Knut (2010). "The Cult of Nākoḍā Bhairava" (PDF). University of Oslo . Retrieved 10 May 2022.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
• Hegewald, Julia A. B. (2015). "THE INTERNATIONAL JAINA STYLE? Māru-Gurjara Temples Under the Solaṅkīs, throughout India and in the Diaspora". Ars Orientalis. 45 (20220203): 114–140. doi: 10.3998/ars.13441566.0045.005 . JSTOR   26350210.
• RTDC. "Barmer". Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation.
• Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
  • IGNCA. "Nakora Ji Ka Mandir" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
  • IGNCA. "Shantinath Jain Mandir" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
• Government of Rajasthan
  • "Mandir Jain Tirth Shri Nakoda Ji". Department of Devasthan, Government of Rajasthan.
  • Directorate Gopalan Rajasthan. "Gaushala Details in Nodal Office". Directorate Gopalan Rajasthan, Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 3 June 2022.

External links

Media related to Nakodaji at Wikimedia Commons