Kundalpur (Nalanda) is a village in Nalanda district in the Indian state of Bihar.
History – As per the Digambar Jain tradition a section of the society believe that Kundalpur was the land of Garbha and Janma (birth plave) Kalyana of Tirthankar Mahavir, the 24th Jain Tirthankar of current times. It is the birthplace of Gautam Swami, the chief disciple of Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankar in Jainism. This is the birth place of three of the eleven Gandhars of Bhagawan Mahavira namely the three brothers Indrabhuti, Agnibhuti and Vayubuthi. Nalanda and Kundalpur were suburbs of Rajgiri. A University was found at Nalanda and was a great center of Buddhist studies.
It is said that Tirthankar Mahavir had meet Goshalak here. In various ancient inscriptions there are references stating that there were many Jain temples here. Several visits of Bhagawan Mahavir to this place and Bhagawan Mahavir’s preachings have increased the sanctity of this place. A Digambara Jain temple is also found at this place.
Jain Temples at Kundaplur – There are 2 Digambar Jain temples complexes at Kundalpur: Ancient Mahavir Janma Bhumi Complex and Nandyavartha Mahal Complex.
Ancient Mahavir Janma Bhumi Complex
Mahavir Janma Bhumi – Lord Mahavir’s Birth Place – This is a structure with two mantapas inside the building with a basement. In the basement are seen two mantapas. One Mantapa has the feet impressions – Charana Paduka of Mahavir and within the other Mantapa is seen a small metal idol of Mahavir on a swing.
Tirthankar Mahavir Kirthistambha – This is a newly constructed complex with a Kirthistambha in six stories with a pinnacle at the top. In the 4th & 6th storey are installed the idols of Tirthankar Mahavir in padmasana on all the 4 sides.
Feet Impressions of Tirthankar Mahavir – Just in front of the Kirthi Stambha is seen the feet impressions of Lord Mahavir installed in a small mantapa. This is said to be the actual place of 16 auspicious dreams of queen Trishala, the mother of Lord Mahavir.
Mahavir Temple – This is a modern simple structure with a 4.5 feet high marble idol of Tirthankar Mahavir in Padmasana as the main deity.
Nandyavartha Mahal Complex – this is located abut 200 meters from Ancient Mahavir Janma Bhumi Complex.
Within a single complex are construted the Nandyavarta Mahal; Rishabdev Mandir, Vishwashanti Tirthankar Mahavir Mandir, Navagrah Shanti Jina Mandir and Trikala Choubis Mandir.
Nandyavarta Mahal – As per Jain tradition it is believed that Tirthankar Mahavir was born in a seven storied palace called as “Nandyavarta Mahal”. In Memory of this an attractive seven storied building called “Nandyavatha Mahal” was constructed between 2002-2004 within a record span of 22 months under the guidance of Ganani Pramukh 105 Sri Gnanamathi Mathaji.
Rishabdev Mandir – This temple is located to the right of Mahavir mandir. It has about 6 feet brown coloured idol of Lord Adinath/Rishabdev as the main deity.
Vishwashanti Tirthankar Mahavir Mandir – This temple has a white coloured marble idol of Tirthankar Mahavir in Kayotsarga as the main deity. The inner ceiling of the pinnacle above the main deity is decorated by the paintings of 24 Tirthankars, 16 auspicious dreams of Tirthankar’s mother and Ashta Mangala – 8 auspicious symbols. Below this temple in the groung floor is a wide hall with the paintings related to the life of Tirthankar Mahavir.
Navagrah Shanti Jina Mandir – This temple has the idols of nine Tirthankars that are assigned to the nine planets of the solar system as per the Jain astrology. Each one of them are installed on a seperate Lotus flower kind of structures. The idol colours are as mentioned in the Jain puranas. Many Jain pilgrims offer Navagrah Shanti Vidhan to these deities with hope that they would be freed from miseries in life caused due to the nine planets.
Trikala Choubis Mandir – This is a three storied newly constructed temple with the idols of 24 Tirthankaras of all the 3 times – Bhuta Kala (past), Varthamana Kala (present) and Bhavishyat Kala (future) installed in a row. Each idol is installed in a seperate vedhi.
Location – Kundalpur (Nalanda) is located about 2.5 km from Nalanda, 11 km away from Bihar Sharif, 17.4 km form Rajgir, and 80 km from Patna, the state capital.
Accommodation Facilities – Good accommodation facilities along with Bhojanashala with 15 rooms are available within the Nandyavartha Mahal Complex.
Address – Shri Kundalpur Digambar Jain Atishaya Kshetra (Prachin Mandir), Kundalpur Post, Nalanda Taluk & District, Bihar, India, Pin – 803111.