Mahudi Jain Temple -  A sacred pilgrimage with a 2000-year history

Location

The Mahudi Jain Temple is located in Mahudi town, Mansa taluka, Gandhinagar district, Gujarat, India, on the banks of the Madhumati River. Surrounded by a serene and peaceful atmosphere, it is one of the most important Jain pilgrimage sites in Gujarat. Every year, thousands of devotees, both Jains and non-Jains, visit this temple to seek blessings, make wishes, and partake in its sacred traditions.

Historical Significance

The worship of Ghantakarna Mahavir Dev at Mahudi dates back over 2,000 years, with early references in Jain scriptures such as the Ghantakarana-kalpa. In earlier times, he was worshipped in symbolic forms such as yantras and paintings, not in idols.

In the 19th century, the revered Jain monk Acharya Buddhisagar Suri established a dedicated shrine for Ghantakarna Mahavir, and later, in 1916 CE, the modern Mahudi Jain Temple was built. The land for the temple was donated by Vadilal Kalidas Vora, who, along with Punamchand Lallubhai Shah, Kankkuchand Narsidas Mehta, and Himmatlal Hakamchand Mehta, formed a trust to manage the temple.

The temple also houses a 22-inch marble idol of the 6th Tirthankara, Padmaprabhu, making Mahudi a unique site where both protector deity worship and Tirthankara veneration come together.

Spiritual Importance

Mahudi is considered spiritually powerful for several reasons:

• Ghantakarna Mahavir Dev: Believed to be a reincarnation of King Tungabhadra, Ghantakarna Mahavir is revered as a protector of the helpless and a granter of wishes. Devotees pray to him for strength, protection, and fulfillment of desires.
  
• Padmaprabhu Tirthankara: The temple honors the 6th Tirthankara, Bhagwan Padmaprabhu, enriching Mahudi’s spiritual depth.
  
• Tradition of Miracles: The idol of Ghantakarna Mahavir is believed to possess miraculous powers, and countless devotees testify to receiving blessings after praying here.

Major Attractions

• Idol of Ghantakarna Mahavir Dev – The central focus of devotion, worshipped for protection and divine blessings.
  

• Padmaprabhu Idol – A beautifully carved 22-inch marble idol of the 6th Tirthankara.
• Sukhdi Prasad – The temple is world-famous for its offering of Sukhdi (a sweet made of jaggery, ghee, and wheat flour). A unique tradition requires that the prasad be consumed within the temple premises only, as taking it outside is considered inauspicious.
  
• Open to All – Mahudi Temple welcomes devotees from all communities, making it a place where faith transcends religious boundaries.
  

Why Every Jain Should Visit Mahudi Jain Temple

Visiting Mahudi is more than just a pilgrimage—it is a spiritual experience.

• For Jains, it offers the chance to worship both Padmaprabhu Tirthankara and Ghantakarna Mahavir Dev at the same sacred site.
  

• For devotees of all backgrounds, Mahudi represents faith, protection, and fulfillment of wishes.

• The act of consuming the Sukhdi prasad within the temple walls connects pilgrims directly with centuries-old traditions and divine blessings.

The Mahudi Jain Temple is not only a house of worship but also a living reminder of Jain faith and cultural heritage. It is a place where miracles are believed to happen, where traditions hold deep meaning, and where every visit strengthens the bond between the devotee and the divine.

Hidden Fact

🔎 Hidden Fact: A unique and lesser-known fact about Mahudi is its strict tradition of Sukhdi prasad. Unlike most temples where offerings are carried home, here it is believed that taking the prasad outside the temple premises removes its sanctity and brings misfortune. This makes Mahudi one of the rarest pilgrimage sites where the sacred energy of prasad is bound to the temple itself.