SHREE AJITNATH JAIN TEMPLE
Taranga Hills ( Gujarat )

The sacred Jain Tirtha of Taranga is located in Mehasana district of Gujarat state. It is situated to the west of the river Sabarmati on Taranga Hills laying on lat. 30o x 54’ North, long 72o x 49’ East near the small village of Timba in Kheralu taluka.

The temple of Ajitnath the 2nd Tirthankara of Jain religious, surrounded by an extensive paved courtyard. It faces East and is built of white sand stone and bricks. The temple of Ajitnath is said to have been built during the rule of Solanki King "Kumarpala" ( A.D. 1143-1172 ).

Temple at the time of Renovation

View of the Temple from Southern Hill

View of the Present Temple

Different Figures Carved in the Exterior walls of the Temple

Though the temple seems to have been restored and extended several times, it has retained the original form and to great extent the sculptural wealth over the external walls and internally as well. During the Muslim rule in Gujarat, the temple was externally as well as internally, covered with a heavy stucco layers so that the hands of them could not reach the beautiful figures and decoration motifs of the temple. In year 1970, the Jain community was found the necessity of exposing the sculptural wealth of the temple and famous Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi was entrusted with it. They have appointed Mr. M. L. Sompura as an architect to exhibit hitherto unraveled sculptural wealth of the temple. After the continuous endeavour of several years under the guidance of Mr. M. L. Sompura, the vigorous attempt fulfilled and today, the temple attained once again the glory that it had.

He has also writtened a book on the history of Shree Taranga Tirth. It hasn't published yet, but interested Publishers can contact his son Mr. B. M. Sompura for more details.