Mahudi - Jain Temple, Gandhinagar

This Sunday, 13 May 2012,  I went to Mahudi - a famous Jain temple near Gandhinagar. Though I do not like visiting temples, I enjoyed going there early morning. I am not an atheist, neither am I very religious. I just believe that there is some power, present somewhere. capable of doing things which can't be explained by science. Even if there is no such power, still, I believe, I am getting a chance to practice the discipline of faith. Sometimes you can do things which under ordinary circumstances wouldn't be possible, but you do make things happen just because you had faith. However, I think, you don't need to go to temples for this.  There are other reasons I do not like to visit temples:

1. Temples should be a place where you can find peace. On the contrary, our temples are crowded and very noisy. You need to rush to see the face of the god and run, because there are many others waiting in the queue.


2. Secondly, we always go to a temple to ask for something. Even god will understand your selfishness one day. Better live with what he has given, and accept what he has to offer without asking. Sometimes by asking for something you may miss a bigger opportunity which god was planning to offer you; instead he may choose to give you something of your choice to respect your prayers. 


Anyway, I went to temple, because my father wanted me to. I went there just for the long early morning, i.e., 5:00 pm ride.


How to reach there?

Sign Board @ about 38 kms

Route to temple is pretty simple. Go straight from Gh-0 circle of Gandhinagar towards Pathika. After about 38 kilometers you will find a sign board with 'Madhudi' as text on it, showing arrow to the right hand side. Take right turn and keep driving for almost 4 kilometers. You are there!


About temple
I found the temple very similar to other Jain temples. The temple is famous for Lord  Ghanta Karna Mahavir. The structure is white from outside and you can notice very fine carving work done on the marble roof and columns. There is a counter just at the left hand side, after entering from the main gate, from where you can buy sacred food for god which is called 'Sukhadi'. It is made up of wheat flour and clarified butter. An interesting story about this sacred food is that you can't take it outside Mahudi. Or you shouldn't take it outside Mahudi because it is believed that doing so may bring bad luck to you or something bad may happen to you.

The temple is beautiful from outside. There is one bell hung on a tall tower. Staircase is also provided to reach to that bell. It is believed that your wish may come true if you get up there, ask for the wish and ring the bell. There is no harm in trying.

Temple outside view (L). Bell Tower (R)

Most importantly, the road to temple is beautiful, surrounded by fields of grains, mangoes and many beautiful trees. 

Crops in the middle picture were there few months back, but they have been harvested now.

We could not stop ourselves and went into a mango farm. We thought we will take permission, but then no one was there. We picked 2 mangoes from the tree and started running to leave the place before someone spotted us. We had just reached the gate and someone came from the other side of the road and said 'please stop'. You will have to pay for these mangoes. You can't take anything from here without our permission. These were the words of the gentlemen. Though we got caught, it was fun!