Travel Kolkata: Parasnath Jain Temple (Glass temple)

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By JYOTI KOTHARI

Principal Diety, Parashnath Temple

Shree Sheetalnath Swami,The Tenth Teerthankara.

Parashnath, The Glass Temple

The Parasnath Temple

Rai Badridas builder of Parasnath temple


Wanna visit Kolkata, Capital of West Bengal, India? A must visit is Parashnath Jain temple built by Rai Badridas Bahadoor Mookim.

Rai Badridas Bahadoor Mookim, Court Jewelers, H.E. the Viceroy and Governor General of British India built this beautiful Jain temple and garden in 1867. Rai Badridas was the pioneer of Johari Sath Community. He himself was the designer and architect of this temple according to "Glimpses of Bengal", published in 1905. The entire temple and outside campus is beautifully decorated with Belgian glass. The throne of the main Deity Shree Sheetalnath, the tenth Tirthankara is decorated with real gemstones and silver.

There are other idols made of Emerald, ruby and other precious gemstones in the temple.

He built this temple to satisfy urge of his mother Shrimati Khushal Devi, W / O late Shree Kalkadas Sindhar who had observed penance and austerity through out her life. She performed Ayambil tap, Navpad Oli for long forty five years..

There is a story behind it. Rai Badridas find his fortune in Gems and Jewelry business in Kolkataand earned huge money. He accumulated enough wealth and bought a piece of land near Jain Dadabadi in Maniktalla region of Kolkata. He wanted a garden house for luxurious stay there. He informed his mother with joy that he had bought a piece of land to build the same. His mother was a religious lady and was not crazy about mundane things. She warned her son Badridas that he would be involved in worldly luxuries and forget God.

Badridas asked his mother about her will. The mother replied that she would be happy if her son builds a temple of God. Rai Badridas, a devoted son of his mother had done accordingly and built the world famous temple.

The then British Government in india built a huge ornamental gate (photo of inscription is added in this hub) in the main road (Lower circular road at that time), presently A.P.C. Road that leads to the street where the temple is situated. The street itself is named after the temple, Badridas temple street.

Mooikim family, present successors of Rai Badridas are managing the temple nowadays. recently they have added fountains to the pond inside the campus.

Integrated settings of colorful glass inside the temple

Roof of inner Veranda in Parasnath temple
Arch inside Parasnath temple
Upper side of inner wall in Parasnath temple

Extended Beauty

Deva Vimana (Heavenly Vehicle)at both sides of the temple.
Garden made of glass and porcelien
Glass Garden with Iron Carvings

Rai Badridas Bahadoor Mookim

Rai Badridas Bahadur Mukim: Founder of the Parasnath Temple

Chandelier and Pillar inside Parasnath temple

Integrated glass carvings inside pillar
Huge Chandelier 108 lamp shed and 1008 glass bulbs
Integrated glass carvings inside pillar
Inscriptions at Parashnath gate

Mahavir Swami temple near Parasnath, Kolkata

Outside Parasnath Temple Kolkata

Integrated colorful glass settings in outer wall of Parasnath Temple
Decorative hut in front of the temple
Integrated colorful glass settings in outer wall of Parasnath Temple

Comments

JYOTI KOTHARI profile image

JYOTI KOTHARI Hub Author 4 weeks ago

Dear Mayank,

You have posted comment with questions but no link to answer. I am answering here in the comment section.

Q 1. Pls send me the details. distance between Kolkata airport to the temple and the convenience available there to reach the temple.....

Ans.1. It is proximately 12 Km from the Airport. Both bus and taxi available.

Q2. also from temple to Sidh Kshetra "Shikharji's "distance.....

Ans 2. Shikharji is about 300 KM from Kolkata. You can reach there via Giridih or Parasnath.

Q3. Rooms available there or not?

Ans 3. Rooms available at Sheetalnath Bhawan inside temple premises.

mayank jain 4 weeks ago

pls send me the details. distance between kolkata airport to the temple and the convence available there to reach the temple.....

also from temple to Sidh Kshetra "Shikharji's "distance.....

rooms available there or not?

arihant 7 weeks ago

nice photos..............!!!!!!!!!!

dilip jamgaonkar 3 months ago

is there any jain dharmshala in kolkata.if there is give address and phone number pl.

Hardik, Ahmedabad 5 months ago

Hi, do they have dharmashala there ? can you give there ocntact no.

anupam jain 6 months ago

most beautiful pic......

Hitesh Jain 7 months ago

This is beautiful place for all and specially for jain's. I want to see this place more and more ............

Andrew Puzauskas 7 months ago

Hello Jyoti,I bought a Jain Sheetalnath statue 20 years ago at a local estate auction.I assumed at first that it was a Buddha.It is a solid lost wax casting and has a sitala on chest and on upturned palm of left hand in his lap.He sits in lotus posture on triangular base.He is skyclad-digambara style and auctioneer said it was brought to America by a US military person from Tibet.I sent pictures and description to Los Angeles Art Museum and was told it was made in northern India about year 1750.Because I realize such images are highly venerated by Jains I wonder if you have any interest in repatriating item back to somewhere where it will be appreciated and venerated.I do believe it may have precious metal content because it is so heavy and so plan to get xray fluorescent test which will not harm it in any way to determine this.Although it is only about 8 1/2 inches tall and 6 1/4 wide it weighs over 17 lbs and feels like lead.I am interested to see what you think of my idea.You may reply to me at andypuzauskas@yahoo.com.Best Regards,andrew.

Bijosh profile image

Bijosh 12 months ago

Nice article, informative and attractive. I am a fan of you. Please do accept me..

JYOTI KOTHARI profile image

JYOTI KOTHARI Hub Author 20 months ago

Hi Ravi,

Thanks for your comment and compliments!

Jyoti Kothari

ravi 21 months ago

excellent!superb!

JYOTI KOTHARI profile image

JYOTI KOTHARI Hub Author 21 months ago

Hi Sumeet,

i have sent you a mail with links.

Jyoti Kothari

sumit Dhanawat 21 months ago

Please any one can send me photographs of lord parasvanath

at sumit50874@hotmail.com

JYOTI KOTHARI profile image

JYOTI KOTHARI Hub Author 24 months ago

Hi Bonny2010,

Thanks for visiting this hub. This temple is built by my ancestors and therefore I have special interest on this temple.

Jyoti Kothari

bonny2010 profile image

bonny2010 24 months ago

this is a beautiful hub, pictures are superb and the information very interesting - thank you for the opportunity to see such splendid works of art

JYOTI KOTHARI profile image

JYOTI KOTHARI Hub Author 2 years ago

Rinkle,

You can stay in Sheetalnath Bhawan inside the campus of Parasnath Temple. I will give you contact number.

Thanks,

Jyoti Kothari

rinkle 2 years ago

hello sir i liked the photographs. i am comin from mumbai in 25th dec 2009 and we plan to stay in jain dharamshala.kindly let me know where could i stay only for one day and visit all these temples too.

JYOTI KOTHARI profile image

JYOTI KOTHARI Hub Author 2 years ago

Hi Shanekruger,

Thanks for your comment. Would you like to visit? This is our ancestral property.

Jyoti Kothari

shanekruger profile image

shanekruger 2 years ago

WOW! Very Good Looking Gallery

JYOTI KOTHARI profile image

JYOTI KOTHARI Hub Author 2 years ago

Dear Shyam,

To the best of my knowledge, attaching Google map is not possible in hubpages.

This temple is near Rangana theatre and Khanna cinema. It is between Maniktalla and Shyambazar.

Photography by the outsiders is allowed for the outer. This temple belong to my family. If you want to photograph I will arrange for that.

Thanks,

Jyoti Kothari

shyamchat profile image

shyamchat 2 years ago

Is it possible to attach a google map ?

Is this temple on Lower or Upper Circular Road?

Is photography by outsiders allowed?

Deven Jain 2 years ago

Very nice photo gallery of Parasnath glass temple. Seeing is believing.

fantastic rate up.

Deven Jain

Sunil Jain 2 years ago

Jyoti Kothari,

Parasnath jain temple is the place I visited in 1985 or 86. Thanks for posting nice photo gallery of parasnath glass temple, a Jain temple worth visit. It has refreshed my memory.

Thanks for posting nice pictures. Awesomw hub.

Thumbs up.

Sunil Jain

JonTutor profile image

JonTutor 2 years ago

Thanks Dude for explaining.

JYOTI KOTHARI profile image

JYOTI KOTHARI Hub Author 2 years ago

Hi John Tutor,

Parasnath is Tirthankar that is equivalent to God in Christianity. Jain believes that one can become God by eliminating ignorance and craving along with anger, ego, deception and greed.

Thanks,

Jyoti Kothari

JonTutor profile image

JonTutor 2 years ago

Great photos.... Parasnath considered Saint/God?

JYOTI KOTHARI profile image

JYOTI KOTHARI Hub Author 2 years ago

i am preparing some more photos to post on here. You can see Mahaveer swami temple video too in my Kolkata hub.

Thanks for commenting.

Jyoti Kothari

Neptune Srimal 2 years ago

Jyoti,

Thanks for posting these beautiful pictures. A lot of my childhood days were spent playing in those gardens.

James A Watkins profile image

James A Watkins Level 8 Commenter 2 years ago

This is an amazing place! Thank you for sharing the information and gorgeous photographs. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Jawahar Jain 2 years ago

Jyoti Kothari,

This is a very good hub for Jain temple. I liked it.

Jawahar Jain

JYOTI KOTHARI profile image

JYOTI KOTHARI Hub Author 2 years ago

Hi Rick49,

Thanks. wanna visit this temple?

Jyoti Kothari

Rick49 profile image

Rick49 2 years ago

The Parashnath temple is a beautiful place. Nice pictures JYOTI

Shantanu Mukherjee 2 years ago

Dear Jyoti Kothari,

I am from Burdwan, near Kolkata but never visited this temple. Wonderful pictures of the Parashnath Jain temple have tempted me to visit the place. It is surprising that Rai Badridas himself had designed this unique temple.

Shantanu

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    Parasnath Temple

    badridas temple kolkata -
    Badri Das Temple Rd, Maniktala, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
    [get directions]

    Parasnath temple is built by Rai Badridas Bahadur Mukim in 1867. The main deity is Jain Tirthankar Shitalnath. It is built entirely in glass.

    Rai Badridas belonged to Jaohari Sath

    • Comment I get from Mr. DK Bhandia

      Hi Jyoti Bhai, great to see this site blog here.You have been spear heading the documentation of this Jain clan from West Bengal very nicely. I wish to add here the details of whatever I know. Bhandia family in Kolkata is a well known Johri Saath group who have been renowned for their Jewellery and Gem Stone business. My Grandfather Late Sri Puran Chandji Bhandia ( Johri ) Married as his second wife Smt. Suhag Sundari from the Kothari Family of Guahati who belonged to the Jiyaganj Azimganj Clan of Jains. I am the last grandson of her last son Late Shri.Kiron Singhji Bhandia residing in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu associated in Jewellery and Textile Business. My Elder Brother Naresh Bhandia lives in Bangalore associated in manufacturing of PP Woven Sacs required in the cement industry. I will be glad to know more and even contribute to the efforts you are taking. Please feel free to get in touch. I have a Family histry Tree for our family contributing data of 13 generations. I will be happy to put in inputs in it if you have any. thanks and regards Dinesh Kumar Bhandia. Jyoti Kothari (Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is also ISO 9000 professional)

    • Sohanlal Parsan passed away

      Sri Sohanlal Ji Parsan, an eminent personality of Johari Sath had breathed his last. He was eighty years old. He was a religious minded person belonging to famous Parsan family of Kolkata. Sri Parsan was devoted to society and religion and served in many social and religious organizations. He served Pawapuri Teerth as Secretary of the trust board for very long time. Jain community is endebted o him for his valuable services rendered to Pawapuri. I pay homage to him and pray for his peaceful living in his heavenly abode. Jyoti Kothari (Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is also ISO 9000 professional)

    • Yatri Sangh to Rajasthan

      December 29, 2010  Sri Kantilal Mookim, ex secretary, Tulapatti Jain temple, Kolkata took a Yatri Sangh to pilgrimage centers of Rajasthan. Sri Kantilal Mookim is a prominent member of Johari sath. He is on Yatra on the eve of his 50th marriage anniversary. The Yatri Sangh reached Jaipur via train, and halted overnight. They had started from Jaipur to Malpura and stayed there for a day. Sri Jain Shwetambar Khartar Gachchh Sangh felicited them in Malpura Dadabadi. The Yatri Sangh leaved Malpura and visited several other Dadabadi including Ajmer and Bilada and other Jain pilgrimage centers such as Ranakpur, New Pawapuri, Mount Abu, Jaisalmer. They are staying at Brahmasar Dadabadi tonight and will start for Phalodi tomorrow. They will catch train from Jodhpur tomorrow to Kolkata. Many prominent personalities of Johari Sath e.g. Sri Vimal Mehamwal, President, Tulapatti Jain temple, Kolkata; Sri Ashok Mukim, Sri Pradip Kothari etc are traveling with in the Sangh. Several other people joined the Sangh from Jaipur. New Jain website Jyoti Kothari (Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is also ISO 9000 professional)

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