Temple Description

The Navagraha Jain Temple, also known as Navagraha Teertha or Navagraha Tirtha, is located in Varur, near Hubli, Karnataka. It is a significant pilgrimage site for the Jain community in India. The temple features a striking 61-foot (19 m) tall monolithic statue of Shri 1008 Bhagavan Parshvanatha, the tallest statue of this Jain deity in India, weighing 185 tons. This statue stands on a 48-foot (15 m) pedestal, making the total height 109 feet (33 m).

Construction of the Navagraha Teertha began in January 2005, with the carving completed within a year under the supervision of Sri Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj and with the support of Sri Dharmasena Bhattaraka Swamiji and various volunteers.

Located 29 km (18 mi) from Hubli-Dharwad city, Navagraha Teertha has become a prominent attraction on the state’s tourism map, drawing visitors from across the country. The site, spanning 45 acres along the Pune-Bangalore Road, was developed with the aid of both Jain and non-Jain communities, largely due to the efforts of Shri Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj.

The temple is associated with the belief that worshipping the nine Tirthankaras can help alleviate the doshas (flaws) related to the nine planets:

1. Padmaprabhu – Sun
2. Chandraprabhu – Moon
3. Māllīnātha – Mercury
4. Pushpadanta – Venus
5. Vasupujya – Mars
6. Mahavira – Jupiter
7. Munisuvrata – Saturn
8. Neminatha – Rahu
9. Parshvanath – Ketu

The grandeur of the Parshvanatha statue at Navagraha Teertha is so impressive that it is visible from up to 4 km (2.5 mi) away on the national highway near the Tapovan flyover exit. Its location within Hubli-Dharwad city limits makes it easily accessible from various points in the city.