On Mahavir Jayanti, explore these age-old Jain heritage structures in Ahmedabad

Thursday marks Mahavir Jayanti — the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankara in Jainism. So, let us journey through some of the enchanting Jain structures nestled in the age-old pols and gallis of Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad, the city which saw her first nagar sheth as the Jain magnate Shanti Das Jawahari, is home to over a dozen Jain heritage architecture.

Mahavir Swami Derasar

Mahavir Swami Derasar located in Tankshal near Gandhi road is the oldest among the five derasars of Mahavir Swami in Ahmedabad.

This derasar is famous for its unique construction, and a lesser known fact, to date this derasar has no electricity, as per reports. The present derasar was reconstructed in 1922 by Sheth Umabhai Rupchand.

Ashtapad Jain Derasar

This Jain temple is tucked away in the old city at Doshiwada ni Pol, a narrow lane where the goldsmith community resides. Built in 1856 AD by Sheth Mangalal Karamchand, the Hindu-Jain style of architecture has human figures dancing or playing musical instruments in its motifs, besides animals and floral patterns. 

Interestingly there is a rainwater harvesting system that was built during the construction and is being used for the water needs of the temple even today.

Ajitnath Derasar

Ajitnath Derasar, located in Zaveriwad, was established in Samvat in 1855 (AD 1799) by Nagarsheth Vakhatchand. Renowned for its intricately carved marble pillars, the derasar captivates visitors with its rare idol of Lord Ajitnath in the Kaussaggiya posture, sculpted in precise accordance with scriptural descriptions.

Shree Muleva Parshwanath Swetamber Temple

The Jain temple on Relief Road houses a 200 to 300-year-old idol of Muleva Parshvanath, originally installed by Seth Kutumb in a temple at Idalpur (now Haripura, Ahmedabad). Over time, the original temple likely fell into ruin, and the idol was moved to the Panjrapole temple of Adinath Bhagwan. A popular belief holds that no devotee can worship this idol continuously for six months. The temple, managed by the Sheth Hutheesingh Kesrisinh Trust, was recently renovated without relocating the idols.

Hutheesing Jain Temple

Built in 1848 AD by wealthy merchant Sheth Hutheesing, it is an elegant white marble structure dedicated to the 15th Jain Tirthankara, Shri Dharmanatha. Located outside Delhi Gate in Ahmedabad, it showcases exquisite craftsmanship by traditional artisans from the Salat community, notably Premchand Salat. 

The temple features a grand mandapa with a ridged dome supported by 12 ornate pillars, a sanctum crowned by three intricately carved spires, and 52 surrounding shrines. A striking 78-foot Mahavir Stambha near the entrance echoes the style of Rajasthan’s Chittor tower, blending Jain and Sultanate architectural motifs.