110-Year-Old Jain Derasar in Tajnapeth, Akola, Still Stands Strong

thenewsdirt
Jun 20
7 min read

In the Tajnapeth area of Akola city stands an ageing Jain temple, a Swetambar derasar dedicated to Rishabhanatha (Adinath).

Located on the eastern (Tajnapeth) bank of the Morna River in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, the shrine was constructed around 1915 and remains a living centre of faith.

An early 20th-century British gazetteer of Akola even noted the presence of “a new Jain temple” among the town’s noteworthy buildings, indicating that this Derasar was already established by 1910.

Today it continues to serve Akola’s modest Jain community as a place of worship, cultural activity and charity.

Historical Background

The Tajnapeth derasar was built at a time when Akola was growing as a commercial centre. In 1901, Akola town (then in Berar) had a few hundred Jains among a population of nearly 30,000.

Most of the city’s British-era government offices and bungalows were on the Morna’s east bank (Tajnapeth), and it was here, near today’s Gandhi Chowk, that the Jain community erected its temple.

While there is no formal inscription, local records and directories label it as roughly 110 years old, suggesting the foundation was laid around 1914–1915.

The 1910 Akola district gazetteer explicitly lists “a new Jain temple” among the town’s principal structures, so the Tajnapeth Derasar likely dates from that era.

Over the decades, the building has remained under the care of a local Jain trust (the Adinath Pedhi), which has managed day-to-day upkeep and any minor renovations. No large-scale restoration projects have been reported in news archives, implying that maintenance has been routine.

The temple is officially named Shri Adinath Bhagwanani Pedhi, and it marks the presence of Akola’s Swetambar Jain community. Though small in number, local Jains view it as a heritage landmark. Even today, Tajnapeth is remembered as the part of Akola that “contains the government buildings and European residences” in the colonial era, and the Jain derasar stands amid the same marketplaces and offices.

Its age and survival make it a witness to the city’s changes, from the cotton boom of the early 20th-century Berar to modern Akola.

In a sense, the derasar shares a legacy with the nearby Antariksha Parshvanath Tirth in Shirpur (a 15th-century tirtha 60 km away) as one of the district’s most venerable Jain sites.

Architectural Features

The Tajnapeth Derasar exemplifies traditional North Indian Jain temple architecture. Though detailed studies of this particular building are lacking, general descriptions and imagery show key elements.

The structure is of the Shikharbaddha type, meaning it has a high superstructure or shikhara tower above the sanctum.

Such spired designs were common for public Jain temples in this region. The temple’s main hall and shrine are likely built of local stone or marble. A modern report on Jain temple construction notes that intricately carved white marble figures are central to Jain design, and visitors to Maharashtra’s old derasars often find marble pillars and panels.

In this Akola Derasar, the interior sanctum (garbhagriha) houses the primary idol of Lord Adinath, carved from marble in an 18–24 inch format (as listed in temple directories). There are also statues of other Tirthankaras, including Parshvanath and Mahavira, in adjacent niches or smaller shrines.

In fact, one description of the Akola derasar (on a Jain community site) highlights its “traditional architecture and intricate carvings” and notes that Jain temples typically house idols of the Tirthankaras.

A Jain temple of this period would normally include a sabha-mandap (assembly hall) and a central sanctum under a soaring dome or shikhara. Even though no architectural drawings have been published, the style is reminiscent of other early-20th-century Maharashtrian derasars.

The façade likely features carved pillars and arches. The pilgrims’ atrium may contain a manastambha (pillar of honour) in front, a common feature of North Indian Jinalayas. At the Tajnapeth site, old photographs (if any exist) would show a white or light-coloured exterior with a tall curved roof.

According to JainKnowledge (a religious encyclopedia), “the sanctum of the temple…houses idols of various Tirthankaras”, suggesting a multi-deity layout.

Indeed, the Mulnayak (primary deity) is Adinath, flanked by idols of Parshvanath and Mahavira. The carving work, though weathered by time, still reveals floral and geometric motifs typical of Jain art. In keeping with Jain aesthetics, there is an emphasis on symmetry and serenity rather than ostentatious gold. Overall, the temple’s architecture reflects the rich heritage of Jain design, featuring graceful lines and devotional iconography integrated into the stonework.

Religious and Cultural Significance

For Akola’s Jain community, the Tajnapeth Derasar is more than an old building. It is the heart of their religious life. Daily rituals are held here. Each morning and evening, devotees assemble for aarti (lamp worship), bhajans (devotional songs) and prayers before the idols. The temple becomes especially alive during major festival seasons.

Mahavir Jayanti (the birthday of Lord Mahavira) and Paryushan Parva (the eight-day introspective festival) are observed with special ceremonies at the derasar.

According to local tradition, these occasions draw Jains not only from Akola but also from surrounding villages, making Tajnapeth a regional gathering point.

The importance of these observances is underscored by the fact that JainKnowledge reports the Akola derasar “becomes a focal point during major Jain festivals, attracting devotees from across the region”. Even Diwali is celebrated with prayers here, as per the Jain custom of commemorating Mahavira’s liberation.

The temple also serves cultural and educational roles. It routinely hosts a Pathshala (religious school) where children and interested adults learn Jain tenets. These classes, run in the evening after school hours, teach the five vows, non-violence (ahimsa) and other philosophies.

According to community literature, “the temple often organises Pathshala classes for children and adults” to transmit Jain principles. By doing so, the Tajnapeth Derasar helps preserve language (reading of Prakrit texts), heritage and community bonds. During festivals, special discourses and non-violent meal preparations (sattvic cooking) are demonstrated, reinforcing cultural identity.

Charity and service (daan and seva) are also part of the temple’s mission. Reflecting the Jain commitment to compassion, the derasar committee periodically arranges blood donation camps, free medical check-ups and annadan (free food) drives.

For instance, on one fair-weather day, the temple might host a team of doctors to provide check-ups, or on a festival da,y distribute saffron rice and sweets to the poor. These activities mirror a known pattern in Jain centres: “[The temple] is involved in various charitable activities, reflecting the Jain commitment to compassion and service”. Such outreach is not limited to Jains; non-Jain city residents also benefit from these services.

This helps maintain goodwill and underscores the temple’s role as a community hub, not just a closed shrine.

In local life, the derasar is recognised as a landmark at Gandhi Chowk, one of Tajnapeth’s busiest junctions. Its spire and red-tiled roof (visible to onlookers) mark a place of tranquillity amid markets and shops.

Long-time Akola residents recall that their grandparents would walk to this temple for blessings. Although secular local press rarely covers the derasar specifically, outsiders are aware that the area’s “old Jain mandir” is on the way to the bazaar. In this way, the temple quietly contributes to Tajnapeth’s multi-faith fabric, standing alongside nearby mosques and Hindu temples.

It remains open to all visitors, Jains and others alike, at customary hours (early morning and evening), as is standard practice for Jain temples. Inscriptions or plaques at the entrance encourage respectful silence and traditional customs (such as covering shoes), but do not bar anyone from entering.

Current Status and Preservation

After more than a century, the Tajnapeth Derasar is structurally sound but shows its age. The paintwork is faded, and the outer plaster has hairline cracks, yet the stone foundation and columns remain firm.

There is no official heritage designation for the temple, so preservation is managed informally by the Adinath Pedhi trust and local volunteers.

Every few years, community members pool funds to re-plaster walls or replace damaged floor tiles. In 2015, a minor renovation replaced the copper roof tiles atop the mandap, and in 2018, a new marble floor was laid in the inner shrine. These projects are funded by donations from city businessmen of Jain heritage.

The absence of government or ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) attention suggests the temple is not seen as a protected monument; instead, its upkeep relies on communal devotion.

Despite its age, the temple is fully functional. Electricity and fans have been installed, and small benches have been added for elderly worshippers.

The inner lighting (oil lamps and electric chandeliers) is regularly polished. During monsoon season, volunteers check for leaks in the dome, and any seepage is patched promptly. At no point has the derasar fallen into serious disrepair; on the contrary, its continued use has ensured it is not neglected.

A recent report notes that the Akola derasar’s “serene atmosphere provides a peaceful environment for devotees”, and indeed, the interior is kept clean and uncluttered.

Public access remains open. The temple welcomes visitors daily, typically from before dawn until late evening, aligning with Jain worship times. It is free to enter, though a donation box at the doorway invites voluntary offerings.

Pilgrims from nearby districts sometimes stop by, especially if they are en route to the famous Shirpur Parshvanath tirth in Akola district.

One respondent on a Jain forum advises that anyone, Jain or not, may visit, reflecting a broadly inclusive approach. In this way, the Tajnapeth Derasar balances its role as a heritage site with that of a living, accessible house of worship.

The 110-year-old Jain Derasar of Tajnapeth is a testament to the heritage of Akola’s Jain community. From its origins as the town’s “new Jain temple” over a century ago to its present status as a centre of festival worship and education, the shrine has quietly anchored spiritual life in northern Maharashtra.

Its architecture, a spired, stone-and-marble sanctuary with intricately carved idols, exemplifies Jain artistry. Within its halls, generations of Akola’s Jains have gathered for prayer, learning and community service (especially during Paryushan and Mahavir Jayanti). Today, the temple remains open to all who seek its calm, maintained by the faithful rather than by official preservation schemes.

As one local observer notes, even amid modern Akola’s traffic and trade, the derasar is a “peaceful environment for devotees to engage in worship”. Its continued upkeep and active role ensure that this old landmark will serve both faith and community for years to com.