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Just as you enter the small town of Sonagir by train you will see a chain of similar temples on top of a hill greeting you. Sonagir is an important pilgrimage site of the Digambar sect of Jains but any one irrespective of the religion he belongs to should plan a Tour to Sonagir.
The most remarkable feature of Sonagir is the presence of 101 White Temples and each of these temples is like the other. They are absolutely indistinguishable. 77 of them are located in the hills and 26 in the village. A path encircles the base of the hill. People go around this path and at each corner of the path there is a Chhatri. The symbol of Mahavira’s feet, the founder of Jainism is inscribed in each of these Chhatris. Small towers are interspersed in the entire temple complex.
Do not miss Temple 57 which is the main temple on your Tour to Sonagir. A tall statue of Lord Chandraprabhu in meditating posture is housed within the temple. Impressive idols of Lord Sheetalnath and Parsvanath are also to be seen. Chhatris surround the 40 ft high white stone pillar Manstambh which is placed just outside the temple. The idols of all the 24 Tirthankaras are placed in these Chhatris.
Yet another temple that is a must see on your Tour to Sonagir is Temple 59. The conspicuous characteristic of this temple are the four minars or towers which are seen on all the four corners of the temple. This temple is also popularly referred to as Gombujdar because of its striking dome.
There is a very interesting story associated with Temple 60. After listening to it you will surely feel more inspired to visit it on your Tour to Sonagir. It is said that a poor woman constructed this temple. She accomplished this mammoth task by grinding grain with a millstone. Pisan means grinding and so it is also referred to as Pisan Ki Mandir.
It is best to plan your Tour to Sonagir when the Mela is held starting sometime in February and ending in March. The place bustles with a lot of activity. Your visit of Madhya Pradesh is incomplete if it does not include a Tour to Sonagir or the golden hill.
How To Reach Sonagir
Gwalior is the nearest airport which is at a distance of about 62 km from Sonagir. . The railway station at Sonagir lies on the Agra Jhansi railway line. Trains to Sonagir are available from Jhansi, Datia and Gwalior. Buses are also available from all these places and you can reach Sonagir very easily. Datia is just 15 km from Sonagir. Jhansi is at a distance of about 48 km from Sonagir.
Tourtoindia provides detailed information on Tour to Sonagir in Madhya Pradesh and offers online booking for Tour to Sonagir in Madhya Pradesh.
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