List of jain temples converted into hindu
Some old Jain temples in India are today used mainly as Hindu temples. Historians and archaeologists have studied this, and a few examples are quite clearly documented.
Here are some well‑known cases:
- Padmakshi Temple, Warangal (Telangana)
- Earlier: Kadalalaya Basadi – a Jain basadi. - Now: Temple of goddess Padmakshi (Hindu). - On the walls you can still see carvings of Jain Tirthankars, which local people now worship as village deities.
- Saraswati Temple, Basar (Telangana)
- Earlier: A Jain temple of Saraswati (Jain view of the goddess as a śāsanadevī / vidyā‑devī). - Now: Famous as a Hindu Saraswati temple, especially for children’s aksharābhyās (starting of writing).
- Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur (Maharashtra)
- Earlier: Many scholars believe it was a Jain temple, possibly dedicated to Tirthankar Chandraprabhu or goddess Padmāvatī. - Now: One of the main Hindu Śrī Mahalakshmi temples. - Inside the complex there are panels showing many Jain Tirthankars, which is why researchers connect it to Jain origin.
- Naganatha Temple, Lakkundi (Karnataka)
- Earlier: A Jain temple dedicated to Tirthankar Parshvanath. - Now: Shiva temple (Hindu). - The original pedestal has a hooded serpent canopy (typical for Parshvanath). Later a Śiva‑liṅga was placed on that pedestal.
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A few important points from a Jain‑dharmic view:
- Such changes usually happened many centuries ago, when political and social conditions changed.
- For Jains, the main feeling should remain of ahiṁsā, non‑hatred and forgiveness, while also respectfully trying to protect and document Jain heritage.
- The above list is not complete; it only includes some major, well‑researched examples. Many other sites are still being studied by archaeologists and Jain scholars.