Jain Ghat

Jain Ghat
Jain Ghat in Varanasi
Religion
AffiliationJainism
DeitySuparshvanatha
Location
LocationVaranasi
StateUttar Pradesh
CountryIndia
Architecture
Established1931
Temple3

Jain Ghat is a ghat on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The ghat is associated with Jainism and Suparshvanatha, the seventh Tirthankara.[1] A Jain temple dedicated to Suparshvanatha stands at the ghat.[2]

The ghat was formerly part of the adjacent Vaccharaja Ghat. In 1931, it was developed separately and became known as Jain Ghat.[1][2]

History

Jain Ghat originally formed part of Vaccharaja Ghat. Vaccharaja Ghat had been made pucca during the latter half of the 18th century by a merchant named Vaccharaja.[3] In 1931, the Jain community developed a separate pucca ghat from part of Vaccharaja Ghat, after which it became known as Jain Ghat.[2] The official Kashi portal attributes the development of this section to Babu Shekhar Chanda, who separated it from Vaccharaja Ghat with the support of Jain monks.[1]

The ghat was subsequently renovated and reconstructed by the Irrigation Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh in 1988.[2]

Suparshvanatha temple

Digambara temple
Śvetāmbara temple

A Jain temple dedicated to Suparshvanatha, the seventh Tirthankara, stands on the upper part of Jain Ghat. The temple was constructed in 1885.[1][2] The temple commemorates the Jain tradition that Suparshvanatha was born in the neighbourhood of the ghat.[1] Varanasi is an important Jain pilgrimage centre and Jain tradition associates the city with the birthplaces of four Tirthankaras—Suparshvanatha, Chandraprabha, Shreyansanatha and Parshvanatha.[1]

The Bhadaini–Jain Ghat area contains both Digambara and Śvētāmbara shrines dedicated to Suparshvanatha.[4] The official Kashi portal describes the Digambara shrine at Jain Ghat as an elevated, dome-shaped temple.[1]

Religious significance

Jain tradition identifies the Bhadaini area with events in the life of Suparshvanatha. The site is consequently known as Bhadaini Tirth.[4] According to Jain tradition, four of the five kalyanakas of Suparshvanatha—conception, birth, renunciation and enlightenment—are associated with the site.[4] The Śvētāmbara temple contains a white image of Suparshvanatha measuring approximately 68 cm (27 in), while the Digambara temple contains an approximately 46 cm (18 in) image.[4]

Jain devotees regularly perform religious activities and bathe at the southern end of the ghat.[2]

Relationship with Vaccharaja Ghat

Jain Ghat adjoins Vaccharaja Ghat and historically formed part of it.[1] The two ghats remain closely associated with the Jain tradition concerning the birthplace of Suparshvanatha. A Śvētāmbara Suparshvanatha temple is situated at Vaccharaja Ghat, while the Suparshvanatha temple at Jain Ghat is identified by the Government of Uttar Pradesh as a Digambara temple.[3][2]

See also

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References

Citations

Sources

  • Kashi. "Jain Ghat". Varanasi Smart City Limited. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  • Kashi. "Bhadaini Jain Temple". Varanasi Smart City Limited. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  • Government of Uttar Pradesh. "Jain Ghat". Pawan Path. Government of Uttar Pradesh. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  • Government of Uttar Pradesh. "Vaccharaja Ghat". Pawan Path. Government of Uttar Pradesh. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
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