History, Best Time, Architecture, Accommodation, Food at 72 Jinalaya near Mandvi, Gujarat
72 Jinalaya, one of the most famous pilgrimage site of Kutch for the Jain people and also a tourist attraction is located just 10 km from Mandvi. This beautiful temple is spread across the 80 acre of land on Bhuj – Mandvi road at village Koday. This Jain temple is locally popular as Bauter Jinalaya or Bahattar Jinalaya or Adishwar Bauter Jinalaya Mahatirth. As name suggested there are 72 small temple or deri dedicated to Tirhankar of Jainism along with main shrine in this Jain Mandir premise.
To facilitate the devotee and tourist, Dharmashala, Upashraya and Bhojanalaya are constructed here in 72 Jinalaya. Shri Shantinath Jain Ashram, located near to 72 Jinalaya is also providing facilities like Jain Vadi, Pathshala and upashraya.
Jain temples, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan are known for their beauty and architecture marvel. 72 Jinalaya was built in white marble with same excellence in memory of Gun Sagar Surishwarji Maharaj in year 1982. The temple complex features an octagonal shape which harbors the 72 Jinalaya and the main shrine in the center of it. The central temple has the idol of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Thirthankara of Jainism. The beauty of the work, you can observe on each corner of premise including walls and pillars, inner side of the central domes etc.
As Mandvi is developed as major tourist attraction of Kutch, thousands of tourist visits here through out the year. Thus lots of accommodation option, restaurants, public and private transport are available to serve tourist.
There are lots of places to visit here in Mandvi along with 72 Jinalaya. The other best place of Mandvi are Mandvi beach, Vijay Vilas Palace, ambe Dham, the wind farm beach, Rukmavati bridge, Ship yard, light house, Shyamji Krishna Varma Memorial etc.
The best time to visit Mandvi is from October to March and especially during Rann Utsav at white desert of Kutch.
How to reach 72 Jinalaya, near Mandvi, Kutch, Gujarat
72 Jinalaya is located on Bhuj Mandvi road at just 10 km away from Mandvi and 45 km from Bhuj. As Mandvi is major town and important tourist destination of Kutch, it is very well connected to all major cities of Gujarat via road, rail and air network. Also it is just 60 km from Bhuj, the district headquarter and major city of Kutch district. Bhuj has major railway station from where you can get railway to all major cities of India, also Bhuj has major airport from where you can get flight to all major cities of India. By road, tourist can easily reach to Mandvi from private or public transport.
