Muktagiri

It is believed that every person who visits this tirth will achieve nirvana, regardless of their faith.{{Sfn|Betul}} According to Jain legends, it rains saffron and sandalwood in every eighth century. For reaching the temple complex one has to take 600 stairs.{{Sfn|Times Now|Muktagiri Jain Temple}}{{Sfn|Patrika|Muktagiri Jain Temple}} It is surrounded by a waterfall and several Jain temples built in modern architecture with each temple features a dome.{{sfn|Fergusson|1876|p=255}} Like Kundalpur, Girnar Jain temples, Dilwara temples and Shikharji, the Muktagiri temple complex is known for its rich architecture.{{sfn|Murray|1903|p=62}}{{sfn|Panikar|2010|p=408}}

Muktagiri Siddha Kshetra Jain tirth constitutes 52 Jain temples, the oldest one of which is a cave. These temples were built during 13th-14th century. The arched entrance to the cave temple has carvings of lotus with small images of tirthankar carved on each side of gate, with an image of Mahavir Swami in lotus position installed in the middle of entrance gate. It comprises a square garbhagriha with mandapa having carvings of leaves. Mandapa is a circular structure based on two pillars and four kudya stambhas. On mandapa's wall images of tirthankaras has been carved. The cave consist of around 56 images of tirthankars.{{Sfn|ASI}}

The seven hooded idol of Parshvanath in 26th temple is considered excellent example of craftsmanship.{{Sfn|Betul}}{{Sfn|Patrika|Muktagiri Jain Temple}} The main temples are the first, tenth (the cave), 26th and 40th. Temple also has a dharamshala equipped with all modern facilities and Bhojanalays. Muktagiri fair is organised on occasion of Diwali.

Muktagiri is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

File:Muktagiri Temple.jpg|Muktagiri Temples

File:Muktagiri - 26th temple - Parshvanatha Idol.jpg|The idol of Parshvanatha in 26th temple

File:Temples of muktagiri.jpg|Muktagiri temples

{{Commons category}}

• Sonagiri
• Bawangaja
• Kundalpur

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• {{cite book | last=Fergusson | first=James | author-link=James Fergusson (architect) | title=A History of Architecture in All Countries: From the Earliest Times to the Present Day | volume=3 | edition=2 | publisher=John Murray (publishing house) | url={{Google books|S2kOAAAAQAAJ|page=255|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} | year=1876 }}
• {{cite book|last=Panikar|first=Agustin|url={{Google books|oCPtDwAAQBAJ|page=408|plainurl=yes}} |title=Jainism: History, Society, Philosophy and Practice | volume=24 | series=Lala Sunder Lal Jain research series |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass | location=Delhi |year=2010|isbn=978-81-208-3460-6 }}
• {{cite book | last=Murray | first=John | author-link=John Murray III | title=A Handbook for Travellers in India, Burma, and Ceylon: Including the Provinces of Bengal, Bombay, and Madras; the Punjab, North-West Provinces, Rajputana, Central Provinces, Mysore, Etc.; the Native States, Assam and Cashmere | edition=4 | publisher=John Murray (publishing house) | url={{Google books|PZk-4HOMzsoC|pg=PR62|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} | year=1903 }}

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• {{Cite web|url=http://archaeology.mp.gov.in/hi-in/Betul|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India|title=Digambar Jain Temple (Cave No. 10) & Other Temples, Muktagiri|ref={{SfnRef|ASI}} }}
• {{Cite web|url=https://betul.nic.in/tourist-place/muktagiri/|publisher=National Informatics Centre|title=Betul|ref={{SfnRef|Betul}} }}
• {{Cite news|url=https://hindi.timesnownews.com/spiritual/article/mysterious-temple-of-india-muktagiri-jain-teerth-temple-muktagiri-jain-temple-muktagiri-jain-teerth-temple-multai-mp-tourism-sandal-and-saffron-rain/281784|title=Muktagiri Jain Temple: The miraculous temple of Madhya Pradesh, where there is rain of saffron and sandalwood|date=8 September 2018|publisher=Times Now|ref={{SfnRef|Times Now|Muktagiri Jain Temple}} }}
• {{Cite news|url=https://www.patrika.com/temples/muktagiri-tirth-of-jain-dharm-in-madhya-pradesh-betul-3308956/|title=Muktagiri: Wonderful pilgrimage, where it doesn't rain water but saffron and sandalwood|date=26 August 2018|publisher=Rajasthan Patrika|ref={{SfnRef|Patrika|Muktagiri Jain Temple}} }}

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• [http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/1000_1099/jaintemples/muktagiri/muktagiri.html Columbia University in the city of New York - Muktagiri]

{{Jain temples}}

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Category:Betul district

Category:Jain temples in Madhya Pradesh

Category:10th-century Jain temples