Ahimsa Paramo Dharma

Rishabhdev Kesariyaji Digamabar Jain Atishay Kshetra

(Kesariyaji Mandir), Udaipur, Rajasthan

A Sacred Digambar Jain Pilgrimage Destination

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About Us

About Kesariyaji

Atishay Kshetra

Mulnayak Devadhidev Shree 1008 Bhagwan Rishabhdev

Kesariyaji Or Rishabhdev, is a renowned Digambar Jain Atishay Kshetra located about 65 km south of Udaipur on NH-48, surrounded by the Kunwarika River and the scenic Aravalli hills. Devotees traditionally offer large quantities of saffron (Kesar) to the Mulnayak Pratima, which is why this sacred place became popularly known as Kesariyaji. The garbhagriha enshrines the mulnayak Lord Adinath (Rishabhdev) in padmāsana mudra, a 3.5-foot Krishna-stone idol under three chhatras with an ashta-dhatu parikara featuring khadgāsana Digambar Tirthankaras, musician ensembles, and celestial abhisheka motifs. The rear panel depicts Marudevi's sixteen dreams (as per Digambar tradition) and completes the set of 24 Tirthankaras with 21 ancillary seated figures. The complex includes a Sahasrakuta Jinalaya with 1,008 idols (distinctive to Digambar tradition), walls and pillars adorned exclusively with Digambar khadgasana reliefs, and 52 jinalayas inspired by Nandishwar Dvips 52 islands. Historically managed by Kashtasangh and Mulasangh Digambar bhattarakas, the temple withstood attempts by Shwetambaras empowered during Mewar state rule to convert it, despite some contested idols placed amid disputes. Supreme Court rulings affirmed that it is a Jain temple. Currently under Rajasthan Devasthan Vibhag management, Kesariyaji remains undisputedly a Digambar Jain Temple. Another unique feature of the temple is the Jal Ghadi (Water Clock). Unlike modern clocks, the temple traditionally refers to this ancient water-based timekeeping system to determine the timings for Aarti, Abhishek, and other rituals.

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History of Kesariyaji Rishabhdev Temple

2nd Century

Local tradition holds that the earliest shrine at Rishabhdev Kesariyaji was constructed in mud-brick form in the 2nd Century CE (approx. 100–200 CE), marking the site's initial consecration as a Digambar Jain tirtha dedicated to Lord Rishabhdev or Aadinath.

8th Century CE

The original mud-brick structure was rebuilt using parewa stone in the 8th Century CE (approx. 700–800 CE), establishing the Kesariyaji digambar temple’s foundational stone architecture, parts of which survive even today.

Vikram Samvat 1431 / 1374 CE

In Vikram Samvat 1431 (1374 CE), under the guidance of Digambar Jain Kashtasangh Bhattaraka Shri Dharmakirti ji, Shah Hardas and his sons renovated the garbhagriha shikhara and Khela Mandap of Kesariyaji temple, confirming an earlier Digambar temple existed under Digambar monastic leadership. The inscription is located at Khela Mandap, north wall of Kesariyaji temple.

Original inscription on the north wall of Khela Mandap. In V.S. 1431, Shah Hardas and his sons renovated the temple under Digambar Jain Bhattaraka Shri Dharmakirti ji.

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Inscriptions

ANCIENT INSCRIPTIONS OF THE TEMPLE

Inscription 1

1. ....... श्री आदिनाथ प्रणम्य....... 2. लोका श्री स्वासिता केचनवित्त कार्याऽ 3. न मोक्ष: कमाग्रे तमादिनाथं प्रणमामी विक्र 4. मादित्य संवत् १४३१ वर्षे वेशाष सुदि अक्षय 5. तिथौ बुध दिने। गुरुवध्येह वापी कूपप्र 6. सरि सरो...

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Darshan Timings

Temple Opening Hours

Unfortunately, at Kesariyaji, the Digambar swaroop darshan of Moolnayak Rishabhdev Bhagwan can be obtained only twice a day, during the Abhishek rituals. The Abhishek is performed two times daily - once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The exact timings differ during summer and winter, and both schedules are provided in the attached timetable. The daily morning Pooja and Shantidhara are performed by the local Digambar Jain community on the Nau Chowki Vedi, which is located outside the Khelamandap. If you visit the temple at any other time of the day, you can still perform Pooja independently at the designated area outside the Khelamandap.

DAILY SCHEDULE

Shanti Dhara - Pooja (Digambar Jain Samaj)

7:30 AM

to 8:30 AM

Morning Abhishek - Jal / Water (Summer)

7:55 AM

to 8:20 AM

Morning Abhishesk - Doodh / Milk (Summer)

8:20 AM

to 8:45 AM

Kesar Poooja Morning (Summer)

8:45 AM

to 9:10 AM

Afternoon Abhishek - Jal/Water (Summer)

* Preferred time for Digambar Sawroop Darshan of Mulnayak Rishabhdev Bhagwan.

2:00 PM

to 2:25 PM

Afternoon Abhishek - Doodh/Milk (Summer)

* Preferred time for Digambar Sawroop Darshan of Mulnayak Rishabhdev Bhagwan.

2:25 PM

to 2:50 PM

Kesar Pooja Afternoon (Summer)

2:50 PM

to 3:10 PM

Morning Abhishek - Jal / Water (Winter)

8:10 AM

to 8:35 AM

Morning Abhishesk - Doodh / Milk (Winter)

8:35 AM

to 9:00 AM

Kesar Pooja Morning (Winter)

9:00 AM

to 9:25 AM

Afternoon Abhishek - Jal/Water (Winter)

* Preferred time for Digambar Sawroop Darshan of Mulnayak Rishabhdev Bhagwan.

2:00 PM

to 2:25 PM

Afternoon Abhishek - Doodh/Milk (Winter)

* Preferred time for Digambar Sawroop Darshan of Mulnayak Rishabhdev Bhagwan.

2:25 PM

to 2:50 PM

Kesar Pooja Afternoon (Winter)

2:50 PM

to 3:10 PM

Summer Timings

Winter Timings

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Festivals & Celebrations

Major Temple Festivals

📅 Chaitra Krishna Navmi

Bhagwan Rishabhdev Janm Kalyanak

Bhagwan Rishabhdev’s Janm Kalyanak Mahotsav is celebrated at Kesariyaji Rishabhdev Digambar Jain Temple on Chaitra Krishna Navami. On this auspicious occasion, a large fair is organized by the government, attracting thousands of devotees and visitors. According to Jain tradition, Bhagwan Rishabhdev was born at midnight. Therefore, the Janm Kalyanak Mahotsav is celebrated at midnight on the night of Chaitra Krishna Ashtami, leading into Navami. During this sacred moment, special religious ceremonies are performed, including a special Aarti, to commemorate the divine birth of the first Tirthankar.

📅 Aasoj Krishna Ekam and Dwitiya

Rathostsav

On Asoj Krishna Ekam and Dwitiya, the Digambar Jain community of Rishabhdev organizes a Rath Yatra at the Kesariyaji Rishabhdev Jain Temple. On the first day, the Aarti and Pooja of the Rath Yatra are performed at Krishna Ghat, after which the procession proceeds and halts for the night at Patuna Chowk. On the second day, the Rath Yatra resumes its journey and reaches the main temple at around 2:00 AM. The procession includes three very ancient and beautifully decorated raths. On this occasion, members of the local Digambar Jain community wear traditional attire of the same style, and perform traditional Dandiya and Gair dances, adding a vibrant cultural element to the celebration.

📅 Bhadrapad Panchami to Anant Chaturdashi

Daslakshan parva / Paryushan Parva

Daslakshan Parva is one of the most important festivals in the Digambar Jain tradition. The festival is observed for ten days, during which the Digambar Jain community performs special religious rituals and worship. During these ten days, Sathiya are created on the main Nau Chowki Vedi as well as on other vedis in the Kesariyaji Digambar Jain temple. Devotees perform Pooja at these decorated vedis, and many people also complete and celebrate the Udyapan of various vrats and Upwas.

📅 Maagh Krishna Chaudas

Bhagwan Rishabhdev Moksh Kalyanak / Nirvan Mahotsav

Bhagwan Rishabhdev’s Moksha Kalyanak Mahotsav is celebrated on Magh Krishna Chaudas at the Kesariyaji Rishabhdev Jain Temple. On this auspicious occasion, a special Pooja and Maha Shantidhara are performed by the local Digambar Jain community in the temple. In the evening, a Varghoda (religious procession) is taken out from the main temple and proceeds towards Pagliyaji. After performing the rituals and Pooja there, the procession returns back to the main temple.

📅 Kartik Amavasya

Bhagwan Mahaveer Moksh Kalyanak / Nirvan Mahotsav

On the occasion of Bhagwan Mahaveer Moksha Kalyanak, the Kesariyaji Rishabhdev Digambar Jain Temple opens at 4:00 AM for the Digambar Jain community. On this sacred occasion, Nirvan Laddu is offered and special Pooja is performed in the temple to commemorate the moksh of Bhagwan Mahaveer.

📅 Chaitra Shukla Teras

Bhagwan Mahveer Janm Kalyanak

On the occasion of Bhagwan Mahaveer Janm Kalyanak, special Pooja and Shantidhara are performed by the Digambar Jain community at the Kesariyaji Rishabhdev Jain Temple. At 6:00 AM, a Prabhat Feri is organized by the Digambar Jain Tirth Raksha Committee. A religious Sabha is held at the Mahaveer Nagar Jinalay. In the evening at 4:00 PM, a Varghoda is taken out with Shri Ji in a silver Rath. The procession proceeds towards Pagliyaji, where Pooja is performed, and then returns back to the main temple. Various cultural programs are also organized in the evening to celebrate the occasion.

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Temple Blog

NEWS, STORIES & UPDATES

2 August 2026 · Temple Admin

Bhattarak Parampara and Kesariyaji - Who actually built and looked after Rishabhdev tirth for five hundred years

If you've visited Kesariyaji, you've already seen the legacy of the Bhattaraks perhaps without reali...

6 June 2026 · Temple Admin

Other Jain Temples in Rishabhdev Town & Nearby

The sacred town of Rishabhdev or Kesariyaji is not merely home to the great Kesariyaji Atishay Kshet...

29 April 2026 · Admin

Is Kesariyaji a Digambar or Shwetambar Temple? The Complete Evidence

"Kesariyaji Digambar ka hai ya Shwetambar ka?" — You have heard this question many times. The confus...

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Gallery

24 photos

8 photos

Bhagwan Rishabhdev - Digambar Pratima

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10 photos

Kesariyaji Temple Images

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3 photos

52 Jinalay

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2 photos

1008 Sahastrakut Jinalay

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1 photos

Bhagwan Rishabhdev Digambar Idol

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Our Sponsors & Partners

The sacred mission of Kesariyaji is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners.

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Nearby Digambar Temples

Bhattarak Bhavan (Sarasvati Bhavan)

📍 200 m from Kesariyaji

In Holi Chowk of Rishabhdev town, there is a grand five-storey building known as Bhattarak Yashkirti Bhavan along with a Chaityalaya (Jain temple). The Saraswat…

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Kaanch Ka Mandir

📍 400 m from Kesariyaji

In the middle of Rishabhdev town, there is a Nohra belonging to the Digambar Jain Dasa Narsinghpura Samaj, within which a beautiful glass temple (Kaanch Ka Mand…

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Bhattarak Yashkirti Digambar Jain Gurukul

📍 700 m from Kesariyaji

This is an ancient temple located in the town of Rishabhdev. In earlier times, students from different places used to come here to receive education. The temple…

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Mahaveer Jinalay (Bhaktamar Mandir)

📍 1.5 km from Kesariyaji

This beautiful Jinalaya is located in Mahaveer Nagar of Rishabhdev town. The premises also features a magnificent Bhaktamar Mandir, where all 48 verses (kavyas)…

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Bhattarak Bhimsen Smarak (Bhim Paglya)

📍 500 m from Kesariyaji

In the Rishabhdev Town nearby Krishna Ghat darwaja there is a Digambar Jain Kasthasangh Bhattarak Bhimkirti ji's Prachin Smarak. It is also known as Bhim Paglya…

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Accommodation

Dharamshalas & Hotels Near Kesariyaji

Shree Bhattarak Yashkirti Digambar Jain Dharmath Trust Gurukul Dharmshala Rishabhdev

Dharamshala

This is a Digambar Jain Dharamshala situated in Kesariyaji Town itself. The Dharamshala has 35+ rooms including AC and Non AC rooms. The compound also has a Digambar Jain Jinalay with Mulnayak Rishabhdev Bhagwan.

📍 Shree Bhattarak Yashkirti Digambar Jain Dharmarth Gurukul Pagliyaji Marg, Rishabhdev

📞 +918233199334

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