PM Modi Visited Chhattisgarh’s Chandragiri Jain Mandir. Here’s Why You Should Visit Too!

One of the three oldest Indian religious systems still in existence, Jainism is integral to South Asian religious practices and beliefs. In fact, you will find several Jain temples in India which are being visited by a large number of pilgrims. Recently, PM Modi also visited Chandragiri Jain Mandir and Maa Bamleshwari Temple in Chhattisgarh.

PM Modi Visited Chandragiri Jain Mandir In Chhattisgarh

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Feeling blessed to receive the blessings of Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji at the Chandragiri Jain Mandir in Dongargarh, Chhattisgarh. pic.twitter.com/wNfvbbwfKH

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 5, 2023

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Jain seer Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj during his visit to Dongargarh, a well-known pilgrimage site in the Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh. He shared pics on X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote that he feels blessed to receive the blessings of Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj at the Chandragiri Jain Mandir.

Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Maharaj is a highly respected Digambara Jain Acharya, who is Digambar Jain Monk. He is well known for his extraordinary scholarship, deep spiritual understanding, and steadfast dedication to leading an austere and disciplined life.

The temple visited by the Prime Minister is a Digambar Jain temple. One of the two main schools of Jainism is called Digambara. The word ‘Digambara’, which means “sky-clad” in Sanskrit, is the name given to their customary monastic lifestyle of abstaining from material possessions and clothing.

The virtue of not being attached to anything or having material possessions is highly valued by Digambara monks. Monks use a communally owned picchi, a broom composed of fallen peacock feathers, to sweep away insects off their walk or before they sit, sparing their lives.

Also Read: This Jain Temple In Karnataka Has 1000 Pillars And None Of Them Is Identical 

In addition, PM Modi said prayers at the Maa Bamleshwari Temple, which is situated in the poll-bound state of Dongargarh at the base of a hill.

He Also Visited Maa Bamleshwari Temple

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छत्तीसगढ़ के डोंगरगढ़ में मां बम्लेश्वरी के दिव्य दर्शन और पूजन से मन को बहुत संतोष हुआ है। उनसे राज्य के अपने परिवारजनों की सुख-समृद्धि की कामना की। pic.twitter.com/M6hnxaVXS8

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 5, 2023

On X (formerly, Twitter), the Prime Minister shared images of Maa Bamleshwari Temple and worshipping the goddess. The temple is located at 1600 feet on a hilltop. The name of this temple is Badi Bambleshwari. The Chhotti Bambleshwari is a ground-level temple located around half a kilometre away from the main temple complex. Thousands of people from Chhattisgarh visit these temples with great reverence during the Navratris of Kavar (during Dussehra) and Chaitra (during Ram Navami). Here, it is customary to light Jyoti Kalash on Navratri.

According to the legend, a local king named Raja Veersen, who was childless at the time, offered prayers to the gods through puja at the behest of his royal priests some 2200 years ago. The queen gave birth to a son within a year, whom they called Madansen.

Raja Veersen built a temple here, viewing this as a blessing from Lord Shiva and Parvati. King Vikramaditya was about to take his own life at the Dongargarh temple when Devi Bamleshwari showed up and intervened. There are a thousand steps leading up to the temple at the summit.

Also Read: Ayodhya Temple: PM Modi To Place Ram Lalla’s Idol On 8-Ft-Tall Gold Plated Marble Throne

Both these temples hold great importance to the locals and have a history worth exploring. If you are in Chhattisgarh, be sure to visit Chandragiri Jain Mandir and Maa Bamleshwari Temple and explore their beautiful architecture.

Cover Image Courtesy: Narendra Modi/ X & Dheeraj Jain/ X (Formerly, Twitter)