Hutheesing Jain Temple, Ahmedabad - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Hutheesing Jain Temple

At a distance of 4 Km from Ahmedabad Junction, Hutheesing Jain Temple is a Jain temple situated at Madhupura locality of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Also known as Hatheesingh Jain Derasar, the temple is dedicated to the 15th Tirthankar, Dharmanath, the son of King Bhanu Raja of Ratnapuri who had attained salvation at Shrikanji. It is one of the prominent Jain temples in Gujarat and among the best places to visit as part of the Ahmedabad packages. A sacred Jain place of worship, Hutheesing Jain Temple draws a huge crowd owing to its divinity and serenity.

History of Hutheesing Jain Temple

Located on Shahibaug Road, the Hutheesingh Jain Temple was initially conceived and commenced by Hutheesing Kesarisinh, a prosperous merchant from Ahmedabad, in 1848. After his passing at the age of 49, his wife, Shethani Harkunwar, oversaw the completion of the construction. Finished two years after its foundation, this Jain temple bears the name of its founder, Sheth Hutheesing Kesarisinh. The total expenditure amounted to approximately INR 10 lakh. The temple was designed by architect Premchand Salat and is currently administered by the Hutheesing family trust.

Architecture of Hutheesing Jain Temple

The Hutheesing Jain Temple showcases a harmonious blend of traditional Maru-Gurjara architectural style and contemporary haveli elements in its design. This remarkable structure is constructed from exquisite white marble. The main entrance features wooden haveli characteristics, including intricately decorated walls, carved balustrades, expansive balconies, chabutras, and jalis.

The temple's main edifice is a two-story building with dome-shaped sections at both the front and rear. It comprises three sequential sanctuaries: a sanctum, a gudha-mandapa (enclosed shrine hall with porches), a vestibule, and a sabha-mandapa (assembly hall), each topped with its own shikhara. The gudha-mandapa's large ridged dome is supported by twelve elaborately designed pillars. The protruding porches are adorned with ornate columns and brackets featuring figures on three outer sides. The walls, columns, and ceilings are embellished with smooth carvings illustrating dancers, musicians, animals, and floral designs.

This temple is dedicated to Dharmanatha, the fifteenth Jain Tirthankara, whose marble statue resides in the central sanctum. The main temple accommodates eleven deities, with six located in the basement and five in the bay sanctuaries. Additionally, there are 52 shrines, each embellished with an image of a Tirthankara. A prominent 78-meter-long Manasthamba, also referred to as Mahavir Stambha, is positioned at the entrance, a notable feature of Jain temples, reminiscent of the Kirtistambha in Chittor. It is believed that a 170-year-old eternal flame is maintained beneath the Garbagriha or Sanctum Sanctorum.

Festivals of Hutheesing Jain Temple

The Hutheesing Jain Temple located in Ahmedabad observes a variety of festivals, such as Paryushana Parva, Mahavir Jayanti, Diwali, Gyan Panchami, Posh Dashami, and Maun Ekadashi. Paryushana Parva is a purification festival lasting eight to ten days, during which Jains participate in fasting, meditation, and prayer, aiming to seek forgiveness for their previous wrongdoings. Mahavir Jayanti, celebrated on March 29th, commemorates the birth of the 24th Tirthankara, Lord Mahavir.

Hutheesing Jain Temple Dress Code & Other Restrictions

Hutheesing Jain Temple in Ahmedabad does not enforce a strict dress code; however, it is advisable to wear modest attire that covers the upper arms and legs as a mark of respect. Men are encouraged to don a dhoti or pajama along with an appropriate upper garment, or to wear formal trousers and shirts. Women may choose to wear a saree, half saree, or chudidhars. It is recommended to avoid modern clothing such as mini-skirts, shorts, and sleeveless tops while visiting the temple.

Hutheesing Jain Temple is open to people of all faiths and encourages visitors to explore and learn about Jainism.

Hutheesing Jain Temple Timings

Monday: 8 AM - 1 PM & 2 PM - 7 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 1 PM & 2 PM - 7 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 1 PM & 2 PM - 7 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 1 PM & 2 PM - 7 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 1 PM & 2 PM - 7 PM
Saturday: 8 AM - 1 PM & 2 PM - 7 PM
Sunday: 8 AM - 1 PM & 2 PM - 7 PM

Hutheesing Jain Temple Entry Fee

Entry is Free
Museum Entry for Rs. 20

Best Time to Visit Hutheesing Jain Temple

The ideal period to visit Hutheesing Jain Temple is from October to February, when the weather is mild, and suitable for exploring the temple. For those wishing to partake in the celebrations, planning a visit during Mahavir Jayanthi is highly recommended. This festival is marked by vibrant celebrations, attracting a large number of devotees. However, visitors should be aware that this is also the peak season, resulting in larger crowds. Alternatively, for a more peaceful experience, the months of September and October, following the monsoon, offer a beautiful, verdant landscape. It is best to avoid visiting during the summer months due to the extreme heat.

How to Reach Hutheesing Jain Temple

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is the nearest airport which is about 10 km from Ahmedabad. It has flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, Cochin, and Lucknow. Ahmedabad Junction is well connected by trains with Mumbai, Allahabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Puri, Chandigarh, Tirunelveli, Kutch, New Delhi, Okha, Kolkata, Bangalore, Jodhpur, Lucknow, Rameswaram, Ajmer, Jaipur, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Dwarka, Bhavnagar, Vishakhapatnam, Bikaner, Mysore, Trivandrum, Kochi, Surat, Vadodara, and Jaisalmer. Ahmedabad Bus Stand is well connected with buses from New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Agra, Jaipur, Gandhinagar, Gandhidham, Amreli, Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Mount Abu, Udaipur, Surat, Jamnagar, Bhuj, Porbandar, Anand, and Vadodara. Travelers can reach the Hutheesing Jain Temple by taking a bus or hiring an auto-rickshaw or cab from all parts of the city.