Muchhal Mahavir Temple

Muchhal Mahavir Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Jainism
Sect	Śvetāmbara
Deity	Mahavir
Festivals	Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
Governing body	Anandji Kalyanji Trust
Location
Location	Ghanerao, Pali, Rajasthan
Geographic coordinates	25°11′46.5″N 73°33′33.2″E
Architecture
Style	Nagara architecture
Date established	10th Century
Temple(s)	1

Muchhal Mahavir temple is a Śvetāmbara Jain temple dedicated to Lord Mahavir, at Ghanerao, in Pali district in Rajasthan state in India. The place is on the route from Falna to Kumbhalgarh. The fair is held here every year on the thirteenth day of the month of Chaitra.

Muchhal Mahavir temple along with Ranakpur, Narlai, Nadol and Varkana forms "Gorwad Panch Tirth".

Jain legend

According to Jain legends, Rana Raj Singh I of Mewar once visited this temple to offer prayer. He noticed a white hair while putting saffron to the idol. Upon question about the hair, the temple priest replied that the hair was from the moustaches of Lord Mahavira. Following, this Rana insisted to see moustache. The temple priest fasted for three days and pleased with this the protecting deity showed moustache on the face of the idol. When Rana uprooted the moustache, blood oozed out of the spot. Following this Rana became a staunch devoutee of the Mahavira and the idol was named Mucchal Mahavir, or the Mahavir who had a moustache.

Architecture

The temple is built in Nagara architecture. The temple is a curviliean superstructure decorated with multiple turrets and decorated pillars. The entrance of the temple has an intricately carved torana and outside the door of the temple are two large black colored idols of elephant on each side. The temple is famous for detailed cavings. The temple also has a dharamshala equipped with all modern facilities and bhojnalaya.

See also

• Ranakpur Jain temple
• Dilwara temples

References

Source

• Das, Joydip (2014). Royal Rajasthan Pocket Travel Guide. Bluworlds Guides.
• Mehta, Jodh Sinha (1970). Abu to Udaipur (Celestial Simla to City of Sunrise). Motilal Banarsidass.
• IGNCA. "Shree Muchhal Mahavir Ji Mandir" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.