400-Year-Old Chintamani Parshvanath Jain idol relocated from Rajpur to Shela

Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad’s historic Chintamani Parshvanath Jain temple in Rajpur, located in the Gomtipur area, has been a spiritual landmark for nearly 400 years. This revered temple has long been a place of faith and devotion, attracting both Jains and non-Jains alike. However, a recent development has left many devotees emotional, as the sacred idol of Chintamani Parshvanath Bhagwan, along with other deities, has been relocated to Shela.

The temple, which once stood at the heart of a thriving Jain community, continues to draw worshippers who have since moved to other parts of the city. Even today, hundreds of devotees return to this historic site for prayers, with over 500 gathering every Sunday. The temple has been an integral part of the cultural and religious identity of the local Jain community, making the relocation of the idols a deeply sentimental event.

The process of relocating ancient Jain idols follows a strict religious ritual. The decision to move the idols had been in discussion for some time, but once the process was completed, videos of the relocation surfaced on social media, triggering an outpouring of emotions from devotees. Many expressed sadness, stating that the temple now feels empty without the deity. Some social media users also suggested that the relocation should have been accompanied by a grand religious procession and traditional ceremonies.

Despite the emotional reactions, the relocation aligns with the broader trend of shifting temples to newer locations as urban landscapes evolve. For the Jain community, this move signifies both change and continuity—while the temple structure remains in Rajpur, the relocated idols continue to be venerated at their new home in Shela, ensuring that the faith and traditions remain intact.