Calcutta Jain Temple, also commonly known as Parshwanath Temple, in Maniktala, Kolkata, West Bengal, is a beautiful Jain temple dedicated to Lord Parshwanath, the 23rd Tirthankara. Found on Badridas Temple Street, about 7 kilometers from Kolkata’s center, it draws people for its fine design and peaceful setting. This blog gives detailed information about the temple’s past, how it is built, why it matters for worship, and how to visit.
History of Calcutta Jain Temple
The Calcutta Jain Temple was constructed in 1867 by Rai Badridas Bahadur Mookim, a rich Jain jeweler who loved his faith. His mother pushed him to build it, so he bought land in Maniktala, filled a pond to make it flat, and created a grand temple. A Jain teacher, Sri Kalyansurishwarji Maharaj, did the pratishtha or opening ritual ceremony. Badridas looked for years to find the right idol of Lord Shitalanatha, the 10th Tirthankara. He found it buried near a Jain temple in Agra and brought it to Kolkata. The temple shows Kolkata’s past as a big trade city under British rule, when Jain traders from Marwar and Gujarat, called the Johari Sath, came to do business. They settled here and built places to pray. The Calcutta Jain Temple, also called Shitalnath Ji Temple, became a main spot for Jains. Unlike some other Jain temples in Kolkata that only let Jains in, this one welcomes everyone, making it a place for all to visit.
Architecture of Calcutta Jain Temple
The Calcutta Jain Temple is a group of four temples, each with a special look in the Śvetāmbara Jain style. The main temple is for Lord Shitalanatha, whose idol has a diamond on its forehead, catching many eyes. The other three temples are for Chandraprabha, built in 1895 by Ganeshlal Kapoorchand Jahar, Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, and a Dadawadi with footprints of Jain monks Acharya Jinadattasuri and Acharya Jinkushalsuri. The temple area has gardens, fountains, and a pond with bright fish.The design mixes Jain styles with some European touches, like colored glass and mirrors. The main temple has marble floors with flower patterns, pillars with mirror designs, and walls with mosaic pictures of flowers, animals, and shapes. Big chandeliers with over 100 branches, called jhar battis, light up the inside. A lamp burning ghee in the main room has stayed lit since 1867, a sign of calm and faith. Outside, the gardens have statues, including one of Rai Badridas, and a marble fountain. Thirteen marble steps lead to a veranda with curved arches and colorful designs.Why It Matters for WorshipThe Calcutta Jain Temple is a key place for Jains in Kolkata, loved for its holy feel. It honors Lord Parshwanath, but the main idol is Shitalanatha, thought to bring peace and blessings. The temple is a center for Jain ways, like ahimsa or not harming, and giving to others. The biggest event is Paryushana, an 8-day festival in Bhadrav month, August or September, when Jains fast, pray, and ask for forgiveness. On the last day, Samvatsari, people do the pratikramana ritual and say “Micchami Dukkadam” to forgive others.The temple’s quiet gardens and spaces help people pray and think. It is open to all faiths, so anyone can come to pray or learn about Jain ways. The burning lamp and idols with gold, silver, and gems like rubies make it feel sacred.
Things to Do at Calcutta Jain Temple
Visitors can do things that mix faith, art, and nature:
Pray or Sit Quietly: Join prayers or rest in the main shrine to feel the calm.
See All Four Temples: Visit the Shitalnath, Chandraprabha, Mahavira, and Dadawadi temples to look at their idols and designs.
Walk in the Gardens: Go through the neat gardens, feed fish in the pond, or see the fountains and statues.
Visit Nearby Places: Check out Shyambazar Kali Bari, 2 kilometers away, or College Street’s book market, 3 kilometers away, for more Kolkata life.
Buy Small Items: Get Jain artifacts or gifts at the temple’s shop.
Visiting Information for Calcutta Jain Temple
How to Get There
The temple is on Badridas Temple Street, Gouribari, Maniktala, 7 kilometers from Kolkata’s center.
By Plane: The closest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, 12–15 kilometers away. Taxis or app cabs take 30–45 minutes to the temple.
By Train: Kolkata Railway Station, 2 kilometers away, or Howrah Station, 6 kilometers away, are close. From either, take a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or bus to Maniktala using Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road or Bidhan Sarani. Shovabazar Metro Station, 1–2 kilometers away, is the nearest metro; walk or take a rickshaw from there.
By Road: From central Kolkata, take Surya Sen Street to Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, then Nerode Behari Mullick Road to Badridas Temple Street, about 20–30 minutes. Buses, trams, or taxis work well. There is parking near the temple.
Temple Hours
The temple is open daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. During Paryushana, it may stay open longer. Ask temple staff about festival times.
Best Time to Go
The best time is October to February, when it’s 15–25°C, good for visiting. Paryushana, in August or September, is busy but special. Summers, April to June, are hot, up to 35°C, so go early. Rainy months, July to September, can make roads wet, so daytime visits are best to see the temple’s beauty.
Rules for Visitors
Wear simple clothes: men need shirts and trousers; women need sarees, salwar kameez, or long dresses. Take off shoes before going in; there’s a place to keep them. No pictures are allowed inside. Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or bring food. Keep quiet to respect the temple’s peace. Offerings are your choice, and don’t leave trash.
Final Words
The Calcutta Jain Temple in Kolkata is a beautiful place for Jain faith and art with its four temples, along with Shitalnath’s diamond idol, mirrors, and chandeliers, making it a special spot. Open to everyone, it invites all to pray or see its beauty. Visiting here lets you feel Jain traditions and Kolkata’s mixed history. Plan a trip to know this holy and lovely place.
