Sanderao: Jain Temples, Rawla and Hillside Setting

Sanderao lies at the foot of Hekji Hill in the Nimbeshwar Mahadev Hills. In the village centre, Shri Sanderao Tirth is located next to the Rawla, the palace of the local royal family. The landscape, religious buildings and proximity to the palace give the place a distinctive character. If you are looking for a cultural focus for your trip, the Jain temples and their traditional stories offer a unique way to discover Sanderao.

Temples and Hillside Setting

The village’s religious landmarks can be distinguished from one another: Shri Sanderao Tirth is next to the Rawla; a Jain temple is six feet below ground level. Beside this temple are a Guru Mandir and a Manibhadra Temple. The village’s history therefore encompasses not just one building, but several named temples with different names and relationships to one another.

A shrine in the village houses a white, 75-centimetre-high image of Sri Shanthinath Bhagwan in the lotus position. Carved archways surround three sides of the image. Its height, posture and surrounds give the religious image a distinctive architectural description, while the Jain temple’s location below ground level adds another aspect of the place. Together, these details show how closely religious images, temple spaces and specific locations are linked in Sanderao.

Tradition and the Religious Calendar

One account links the Sanderao assembly to an event in 1092: according to the account, it led to the installation of an image by Jinchandra in a temple of the Sanderak Gachchha. This is a reported historical tradition. Another tradition tells of the image of Sri Shanthinath Bhagwan, which today serves as the principal object of worship. It is said to have been brought here from elsewhere and consecrated during renovation work in the 16th century of the Vikram era. The image does not bear an inscription. The two stories point to different historical reference points, without one needing to explain the other.

A Dhvaja ceremony at the Jain temple is part of the religious calendar. It takes place every year on Vaishakh Sukla 6; the date follows the traditional calendar. If you would like to plan your trip around this date, check the day in good time against the traditional calendar.

Another Temple Nearby

The Shiva-dedicated Nimbo Ka Nath Temple is located near Sanderao, on the road between Falna and Sanderao. Different religious landmarks can therefore be found alongside one another: the Jain temples in the village and the Shiva temple nearby. The hillside setting and these different temple traditions offer two specific themes to help you discover Sanderao. When choosing a holiday rental, consider whether you would like to include temple history and landscape in your travel plans. If both match your interests, you can focus your holiday rental search on Sanderao.

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