Chulgiri Jain Temple Jaipur: A Travel Guide to Chulgiri Hill Trek

Nestled amidst the scenic Aravalli hills on the outskirts of Jaipur lies the Chulgiri Jain Temple. The Chulgiri Jain Temple is a holy site dedicated to the Digambara sect of Jainism. It’s a popular pilgrimage destination for Jain followers. This magnificent Digambar Jain temple offers a unique pilgrimage experience as it is among the most popular Jain temples in Jaipur. A beautiful Digambar Jain temple, Chulgiri, sits on a hill near Jaipur. It’s a famous pilgrimage site with stunning views. Perched atop the edge of a 400-foot-high mountain within the Jhalana Leopard Safari area, the temple offers a panoramic vista. On one side, you can see the highway to Agra, and on the other, the Ghat ki Guni tunnel.

Atishaya Kshetra Chulgiri Jain Temple Jaipur

Chulgiri Jain Temple or Chulgiri Atishaya Kshetra is a well-known Jain temple in Jaipur. Chulgiri Jaipur is considered Atishaya Kshetra. But what does it mean? Well, Digamber Jains refer to specific terms to specify important Jain temples and sites of religious importance such as Thirth Kshetra, Siddha Kshetra, Purana Kshetra, and Atishaya Kshetra.

Thirth Kshetra: These are holy places connected to the five auspicious events (Panch Kalayanak) in a Tirthankara’s life. These events include birth, conception, renunciation, attainment of enlightenment, and liberation.
Siddha Kshetra: These are revered sites where Tirthankaras achieved enlightenment (Kevala Jnana) and became spiritually liberated. Some consider them places where Tirthankaras attained final liberation (nirvana) as well.
Atishaya Kshetra: These pilgrimage destinations are known for extraordinary or miraculous events associated with a temple, idol, or Jain saints.
Puran Kshetra and Gyan Kshetra are additional categories of Jain pilgrimage sites. While the specific meanings of these terms may vary, Puran Kshetra likely refers to ancient and historical Jain sites, and Gyan Kshetra could be associated with places of learning or knowledge.

Chulgiri Jaipur is considered Atishaya Kshetra as per a legend that says that a Digambar Jain Muni regained his sight through spiritual practices “Sadhana” performed at Chulgiri. This miraculous event is why Chulgiri, formerly known as Khaniya, is considered an ‘Atishaya Kshetra’ for Digambar Jains.

History of Chulgiri Jain Temple

In 1953, a revered Jain Hierophant, Shri Desh Bhushan Maharaj, was drawn to the site’s tranquility for meditation. He chose it as his place of spiritual practice and later established a Jain shrine here. The name “Chulgiri” itself comes from him.

Another legend connects the place to Indrajeet and Kumbhakaran, suggesting they once meditated there. This adds to the temple’s spiritual importance.

Jain Tirthankar Idols

Initially, there were three splendid sculptures that were propounded in 1966, which are made of white stone. These three statutes are of three most popular Tirthankars (Shree Parshavnath, Mahaveer Swami and Neminath). The Parshavnath statue is 7 feet high and the Mahaveer Swami sculpture is approx 3.5 feet. Later on, idols of the 24 Thirthankar’s statues were also installed in the courtyard. When you enter the temple, there is a room with a statue of Padmavati Devi on your right. Downstairs in the basement, you can find statues of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras. These holy figures are important to Jainism.

The temple organized Panch Kalyanak in 1982. A huge, 20-foot white marble idol of Tirthankar Mahavir, the founder of Jainism was installed in the back courtyard. A grand 60-foot dome was built to house this impressive statue. Another noteworthy addition is the Jain Yantra, a complex Jain cosmological diagram. This 40-kg copper plate engraving sits atop the temple’s roof.

Recently, a small water tank having a capacity of 1.8 liters was also made to collect rainwater for worship and consecration of god.

Why is Chulgiri Jain Temple a must visit?

Atop the hill, this beautiful temple is serene and beautiful, with intricate carvings and a calming atmosphere. The views from the top are simply spectacular – huge hills extending as far as the eye can glimpse, smudged with the golden hues of sunset. For the devout, it’s a revered pilgrimage site, housing a colossal statue of Lord Mahavira and believed to be an ancient meditation ground. For nature lovers, the temple’s hilltop location promises panoramic vistas and a chance to witness the diverse landscapes of the Jhalana Leopard Safari area.

Things to keep in mind while visiting Chulgiri Jain Temple

Please note: While Chulgiri Jain Temple offers stunning sunrises, viewing them is currently restricted. In the past, large crowds disrupted the peacefulness sought by pilgrims and those meditating. To preserve the temple’s sanctity, access is now limited to Jain worshippers.

Dress respectfully: As with most Jain temples, there’s a dress code for visitors to show respect. Opt for fair clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Women should also bring a scarf to cover their heads while inside the temple.

Jain tradition emphasizes cleanliness. Many pilgrims (Yatris) choose to bathe before entering the temple as a sign of respect.

Don’t worry about your belongings! Lockers are conveniently located near the entrance so you can safely store your valuables and mobile phones before entering the temple.

Parking! There is parking available for cars and bikes at the temple. However, it’s important to be aware that it might not be supervised.

Beware of Leopards: Chulgiri Jain Temple is located within the Jhalana Leopard Safari area, where leopard sightings are common. Keep an eye out for these grandiose creatures!
Guest House facility: The temple provides a Jain Dharamshala for Jain pilgrims and a Bhojanshala (canteen) to cater to their needs. For those looking for a quick morning bite, the canteen serves a simple breakfast of Poha and Chai at 8:00 am.

How to reach Chulgiri Jain Temple

Situated on the outskirts of the city, Chulgiri distance is almost 20 km from Jaipur city. If you are coming from Jaipur Airport then it’s approx 16 km and from Bus Stand it’s 20 km. Getting to Chulgiri Jain Temple is convenient – you can find transportation easily from anywhere in Jaipur.

There are two ways to reach the Chulgiri temple Atishaya Kshetra; the first one is via the historic Ghat Ki Guni road, which winds through the beautiful Vidhyadar Ka Bagh and Sisodiya Rani Ka Bagh gardens. Or, you can also opt for the quicker option through the Ghat Ki Guni Tunnel.

Upon arriving at the base of Chulgiri Jain temple mountain, you can either climb the steps or drive through the road. There are approximately 1000 steps in Chulgiri Temple which takes about 30-40 minutes to reach the temple. One can also walk or drive through the road that traverses a distance of 4 km from the base to the Chulgiri temple. It is a motorable road and is in excellent condition at all times.