| Native Name: | Soniji Ki Nasiyan |
| Religious Affiliation: | Jainism |
| Map Type: | India Rajasthan |
| Coordinates: | 26.45°N 74.64°W |
| Location: | Ajmer, Rajasthan |
| Deity: | Rishabhanatha |
| Sect: | Digambara |
| Festivals: | Mahavir Jayanti |
| Established: | 1864–1895 |
| Creator: | Seth Moolchand Soni |
The Ajmer Jain temple, also known as Soniji Ki Nasiyan, is a Jain temple known for its architecture. It was built in the late nineteenth century. The main chamber, known as the Swarna Nagari "City of Gold", has several gold-plated wooden figures, depicting several figures in the Jain religion. This golden chamber of the temple uses 1,000 kg of gold to carve out a depiction of Ayodhya.[1]
Kurt Titze, in his book, "Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence" (1998, p. 143), writes on Soniji Ki Nasiyan:
Greatly revered by the Digambar sect of the Jains, the Nasiyan temple is dedicated to Rishabhdev, the first of the 24 tirthankara by Rai Bahadur Seth Moolchand and Nemichand Soni. It is situated on Prithvi Raj Marg in Ajmer, the heart of Rajasthan state in India. The foundation of this magnificent Jain temple was laid on 10 October 1864 and the image of Rishabhdev (Adinath), was installed in the Sanctum Sanctorum on 26 May 1865. This work was carried out under the able guidance of the great scholar Pandit Sadasukhdasji of Jaipur.
The name of the temple is Siddhkoot Chaityalaya. It is also known as 'Red Temple' as it is built of red sandstone or 'Nasiyan of Seth Moolchand Soni' signifying the founder’s name. After the Svarna Nagri was added to the temple in 1895 CE, it popularly began to be called 'Sone ka Mandir' or 'Soni Mandir' emphasizing the golden structure as well as the family name. The halls of this temple are adorned with fascinating series of large, gilt wooden figures and delicate paintings that display scenes from Jain scriptures.
The entrance gate of the temple is made of red sandstone brought from Karauli. In front of the gateway is the marble staircase, leading to the main temple, which is embellished with the images of the Tirthankars. The columns inside the temple are noted for their unique design. The mulnayak of the temple is a large white marble idol of Rishabhanatha. The Abhiṣeka of deity is organised daily with water, milk, etc. The temple features a massive gateway with three-way pointed high-rise arches with elaborate Jharokhas.
The central image is of Rishabhdev seated in the "Samavasarana" – in which He imparts true knowledge to the suffering humanity, so that they get liberated from the entanglements of life and death. In 2005, the 3 Vedi's were renovated and all the idols of Tirthankaras were re-installed amidst religious rituals and ceremonies. In this portion, only Jains are allowed to perform their religious rituals.
On entering this historical temple one gets the view of the beautifully and artistically designed 82 feet high Manastambha. R. B. Seth Tikamchand Soni laid the foundation and R. B. Seth Sir Bhagchand Soni built this Manastambha. He, along with his sons Prabhachand, Nirmalchand & Sushilchand consecrated and installed the images of the Jain Tirthankars in it. A big function was held for ten days in June 1953, where along with the members of the Soni family, thousands of others participated.
In the year 1974, in the auspicious presence of 108 Acharya Vidyasagar, a big library was established by R.B. Seth Sir Bhagchand Soni. The library houses rare Jain scriptures which are extensively used for research by scholars.
The temple is being visited by many tourists annually. Distinguished Visitors include India's first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indra Gandhi, Morarji Desai & Rajiv Gandhi, Commander-in-Chief General K.M.Kariappa. Pre-independence the Viceroy and Vicereine of India Lord & Lady Irwin and Lady Willingdon also visited.
It came to R.B. Seth Moolchand Soni’s mind that 5 Kalyanakas of Lord Rishabhdev could be displayed in models. Accordingly, the work started in Jaipur and it took 25 years to complete these replicas of Ayodhya and Mount Sumeru. The whole structure, covered with gold leaf, is made according to the descriptions contained in Adi Purana written by Shri Jina Sen Acharya.
On completion, the models were displayed in Museum Hall in Jaipur. A big fair was celebrated for ten days in 1895 A.D which was attended by Maharaja Madhosinghji of Jaipur. The models were thereafter installed in the building behind the main Temple. This Hall is richly painted in variegated colours, and the walls and ceiling are covered with glass mosaic work.
Installing his eldest son Bharat in his place, He left the palace followed by 4,000 other kings. Indra followed by the other celestials, took Rishabhdev in procession to the Triveni, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati at Prayag (Allahabad) where under the shade of the Akshayavat (sacred banyan tree) Rishabhdev gave up the world, including his clothes and gave himself to contemplation. He pulled out his hair (Kesh Lonch) with his own hands depicting his extreme detachment from all worldly and bodily comforts.Lord Rishabhdev took his first meal after one year of austerities and penance. Raja Shreyans, the king of Gajapura (now Hastinapur), had the good fortune of being the first person to offer him a meal in the form of sugarcane Juice on the 3rd day of the bright fortnight of the month of Vaishakha. This occasion is celebrated even today as Akshaya Tritiya. There is a model of the city of Hastinapur with golden chariots and statues. The structure is also known as Siddhkoot Chaityalaya.[2] [3]
On Mount Kailash where Lord Rishabhdev attained Salvation or Nirvana, his eldest son Bharat, the first Chakravartin (emperor of Bharat Kshetra), constructed seventy-two magnificent golden temples.