INTRODUCTION

Sonagiri is a holy Jain pilgrimage site, located on the Northern Madhya Pradesh. It is located in Datia district, 70 kms south-west of Gwalior city. Sonagiri is popular for its collection of Jain temples. These temples are of 9th century onwards which were built with the passage of time in different centuries. It is know for Jain devotees who performs religious practices like self-discipline, austerity to attain salvation. Its name "Sonagiri" is derived from two words i.e. "Sona" means Gold and "Giri" means Mountain. This collectively means mountain of gold. It is holy site for Jain religion followers as large number of saints have achieved liberation in this land. According to Jain texts, since 8th Teerthankar, large number of saints have attained salvation in this place thus it becomes a sacred place for devotees.

HISTORY

Sonagiri is the sacred place of Jain religion which is located at a distance of 70 Kms from the Palace city Gwalior. It is located in the Datia district of Madhya Pradesh. Sonagiri means Golden Peak. It is believed that around five crores of ascetic saints have achieved Moksha from here. This ancient sacred place is known from the time of the Bhagawan Chandraprabhu who was the eighth Tirthankara of Jains. This place has blessings of Bhagawan Chandraprabhu and is located on the top of the hill of Sonagiri. There are many ancient white beautifully built Jain temples are located from the 9th and 10th century. It is believed that King Nanganag Kumar achieved liberation followed with his fifteen million followers at this place. There are total 77 white temples are located at this place. All the temples are the major tourist attraction of this place. Out of these beautiful 77 temples, temple no. 54 is the main temple of this sacred place. This temple is dedicated to God Chandraprabhu. This temple is beautifully carved and huge in size. There are approx 11 feet tall statues of Lord Sheetalnath and Parsvanatha and is the major tourist attraction point of that place. This place is popularly known as Laghu Sammed Shikhar covering an area of 133 square acres of the two hills. The most known Acharyas like Bhartrihari and Subh Chandra has spent whole life here on working for spiritual achievements. Many renowned and learned Saints are known to gain salvation at this site. Salvation has always been the highest aim of the Jain saints and pilgrims and this temple offers the peace and tranquility necessary to practice meditation. Every temple of Sonagiri is different in style and architecture from other temple. One coconut shaped Kund is present in Sonagiri which is out in a rock and is popular tourist attraction of this place. Apart from temples, The Ringing Rock place is also a famous tourist attraction place where one rock which when struck generates sound like one coming from the metal.

HOW TO VISIT

From tourism point of view, tourists can easily visit Sonagiri temples in day-time, while staying either in Gwalior hotel or Jhansi hotel or Orchha hotel. This will be day excursion tour. If you are devotee and would like to spend night their, then you need to look for some Dharamshala (community shelter homes) for your stay. Location of this holy place is close to Datia township. While driving on Gwalior -Jhansi road, we have to take diversion of approx. 15 kms, from Datia, to reach this sacred place.