Credit: Vikash Patel
Shri Sarvodaya Digamber Jain Temple is an awe-inspiring religious site to visit in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. The temple is a prominent spiritual destination that should be included in your Amarkantak trip itinerary.
The Construction of Shri Sarvodaya Digamber Jain Temple
The foundation of the temple was laid out by Bharion Singh Shekawat, the former vice president of India. The construction of the Shri Sarvodaya Digamber Jain temple started in 2006. Under the guidance of Acharya Vidyasagar, the temple is still ongoing and has an overall cost of INR 20 crore. The temple is constructed using preserved stones instead of cement and iron.
The Temple’s Architecture and Design
Spread over an area of 4 Acres, the architectural style of the temple resembles the famous Akshardham temple in Gujarat. The temple is dedicated to Bhagawan Adinatha, the first Jain Tirthankara. The main attraction of the temple is a 24-tone Ashtadhatu idol of Rishabhnath sitting on a 28-ton lotus Ashtadhatu pedestal. Another idol of Bhagawan Adinatha is 24 feet tall and sits in Padmasana posture, It’s one of the largest Adinatha idols. A 71-ton statue of Mahavira has also been installed here.
How to Reach
By car: Amarkantak is well-connected by road and can be reached by taxi, private car, or bus from nearby cities like Jabalpur, Bilaspur, and Rewa.
By Train: The nearest railway station to Amarkantak is Pendra Road railway station, which is located about 17 km away. You can take a taxi or auto-rickshaw from the railway station to reach Amarkantak.
By Air: The nearest airport to Amarkantak is the Raipur airport, which is located about 230 km away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Amarkantak.