Rishabhdeo Mandir

Two views of Rishabhdeo Mandir, Situated sixty-five kilometres from Udaipur on the road to Ahmedabad, it is one of the most popular Jaina temples in Rajasthan. Since it is claimed as a place of worship not only by Jainas (predominately Shvetambara) but also by Hindus and especially by Bhils, who visit the temple in great numbers, it stands under the jurisdiction of the State of Rajasthan This explains the armed guards.

Tradition has it, that on some remote day it was a Bhil who, guided by a dream, discovered a black stone-image of Rishabha hidden in a tree. Eventually it came to be installed and consequently worshipped in this temple. The dark-skinned Bhils continue to see in the black coloured statue an idol that has always belonged to them, whereas the Jainas date the image back to the time of Rama and Sita For some time it was installed in a temple at Ujjain.

Vowing to un- dertake a pilgrim age to Rishabhdco and to actually embark on it, is seen by the Bhils and other pilgrims as a way of getting one’s wishes fal- filled.

Non-stop buses for this popular site leave Udaipur Bus Station about every hour.