Travel Kolkata: Jain Dadabadi and Guru Charan

Tourists in Kolkata come in large numbers to view this Jain Dadabadi situated opposite to famous Parasnath glass temple. This Dadabadi is built in Mogul pattern and resembles the Tajmahal.

Kolkata is now the capital of West Bengal and the second biggest city (After Mumbai) in India. It was the Capital of British ruled India in the nineteenth century. Large number of Jain came and settled in Kolkata from various places since then. Johari Sath (Jewelers community) people were first among Jains to come and settle in the then Kolkata. They were Rajasthanis but came mainly via Lucknow, Delhi, Varanasi and Agra.

Most of them belong to Khartar gachchha sect of Jain and were of Shrimal clan. Dadagurus (Dada stands for Grand father in Hindi language and Guru for Teacher, Mentor or Master) are very popular among Khartar gachchha sect of Jain community. It is believed that they were the masters and mentors of them. It is obvious that they built a beautiful Dadabadi (Temple of Dadaguru Deva) in Kolkata.

Kolkata Dadabadi (Badi is derived in Hindi from Sanskrit word Batika that means garden) is situated opposite to famous Parasnath glass temple at 29, Badridas temple Street, Kolkata, PIN code 700004. Dadabadi is much older than the Parasnath glass temple built (1867) by Rai Badridas Bahadur Mukim. In fact, Parasnath temple was built opposite to Dadabadi. It is assumed that the Dadabadi was built either in the last leg of eighteenth century or in early nineteenth century. However, exact date and year is not known.

Three Jain temples, Parasnath, Mahavir Swami andChandaprabhu, were built surrounding Dadabadi from three sides. Hence, this particular area of Kolkata is treated as tourist place for all visitors and as Pilgrim for Jain.

The Dadabadi has a palacious look with huge main gate. It is approximately 30 feet in height and entire inside portion is made of Marble with integrated carvings. Long path again made of marble gives Kolkata Dadabadi extremely gorgeous look.

Address of Kolkata Dadabadi:

29, Badridas Temple Street, Kolkata 700004

Photos of the main gate of Kolkata Jain Dadabadi follows:

Dadaguru Devas are very prominent Jain Acharyas of Khartar Gachchha branch of Swetambara sect of Jain community. There are four Dadagurus namely Shree Jina Dutta Suri, Shree Manidhari Jina Chandra Suri, Shree Jina Kushal Suri and Shree Jina Chandra Suri.

Worship (Pujan) of Dadaguru is very popular among Jains. Dadabadi means place of worship for Dadagurudeva.

There are foot prints (Charana) of Acharya Sthulibhadra (single) and a cluster of four Jina Dutta Suri, Shree Jina Kushal Suri, Shree Jina Chandra Suri and Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashramana at Kolkata Dadabari. Devotees come here every monday and on the full moon day, the last day of every lunar month to pay their homage.

Not only the front but the back side is also wonderful. There are brass and Cement images, gardens, fountains and Dharmashala in the back side of the Kolkata Jain Dadabadi.

A beautiful pond adds to its glory. Fishes play in the pond, however fishing is not allowed. The Jain community is strictly vegetarian and believe in complete non-violence to animal, fish or even tiny creatures.