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Mahavira Jain Temple Review

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Mahavira Jain Temple

Category: Religious Sites
Location: Osian

Fodor's Review:

An older, and arguably more important, 7th-century temple is said to be the first Jain temple in the world. Hidden in the twisting alleys of the city, the Mahavira Jain Temple is venerated from all over India. The feet of one particular statue of Bharu on the outside of the temple are often covered with bright paper, oil, coconuts, and even human hair. Hindus (not just Jains) believe that if they make offerings here before they get married, their union will be blessed, and they'll be able to produce a child. To invoke the powers of the god Bharu, devotees must make two pilgrimages to the temple. During the first pilgrimage they leave traditional offerings of coconuts and oil to ask the god for fertility, they must also promise to return after the child's birth to offer the newborn's hair to the god.

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