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Jain Memorial Garden

Ahinsa Sthal

Also Known As · Ahimsa Sthal · Mahavir Statue, Mehrauli

New Delhi, Delhi · temple

A 13-foot granite Mahavir on a quiet garden hillock beside the Qutub — a serene Jain shrine to non-violence, and a calm pause from the heritage crowds.

Open dailyEntry Fee: Free EntryDaily, approximately 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (hours vary by source; aim for 8:00 AM–5:00 PM to be safe)

Ahinsa Sthal is a serene surprise right beside the roar of the Qutub Minar — a Jain memorial and meditation garden built around a monumental seated statue of Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th and final Tirthankara of Jainism, set on a landscaped rocky hillock in Mehrauli. Established in 1980 by the Digambar Jain community of Delhi, it was created to embody the Jain ideal of ahimsa — absolute non-violence and non-harm extended to every living being — in the heart of the national capital.

Get Directions

Where to Eat Nearby

Nearby Vegetarian Eats

Naivedyam, Hauz Khas Village

4 km away
casual

Pure-vegetarian South Indian dosas and thalis

Sagar Ratna, Saket

3.5 km away
casual

Pure-vegetarian South Indian dosas and idlis

Saravana Bhavan, Select Citywalk

3.5 km away
casual

Pure-vegetarian South Indian filter coffee and meals

About

Ahinsa Sthal is a serene surprise right beside the roar of the Qutub Minar — a Jain memorial and meditation garden built around a monumental seated statue of Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th and final Tirthankara of Jainism, set on a landscaped rocky hillock in Mehrauli.

  • Established in 1980 by the Digambar Jain community of Delhi, it was created to embody the Jain ideal of ahimsa — absolute non-violence and non-harm extended to every living being — in the heart of the national capital.
  • For vegetarian travellers the Saket and Hauz Khas area nearby is rich in pure-veg food — Naivedyam, Sagar Ratna and Saravana Bhavan among them.

The centrepiece is remarkable

a seated Mahavir carved from a single block of granite in the South Indian tradition of Karkala in Karnataka (the same region that raised the great Bahubali colossus), standing about 13 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 30 tonnes, resting in the lotus meditation posture on a lotus pedestal. It was transported to Delhi and installed on this hillock, with garden pathways winding up around it. Beyond its spiritual role, Ahinsa Sthal is prized simply as a quiet, green, contemplative retreat — a peaceful counterpoint moments from one of Delhi's busiest heritage sites, and a lovely pause after touring the Qutub complex. Its principal festival is Mahavir Jayanti.

Practical notes

entry is free (a voluntary donation box sits near the shrine), and the site is open daily; hours vary a little by source, so aim to visit between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. It is a place of quiet reverence, so keep noise down and dress modestly; shade is limited on the open hillock, so carry water in warmer months. Nearest metro: Qutub Minar, a short walk or auto away. Allow about 30 minutes; paired with the Qutub Minar next door, it turns a heritage outing into a calmer, more reflective half-day and a welcome change of pace from the crowds.

Timings & Entry Fee

Visiting Hours

  • • Approx 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM (daily; varies by source)
  • • Aim for 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM to be safe
  • • Mahavir Jayanti is the main festival
Days OpenOpen DailyEntry FeeFree EntryTime Needed30 minutes

Entry Fee: Free entry, no photography fee. A voluntary donation box sits near the shrine.

Verified: July 2026

Location & How to Reach

Address

Anuvrat Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi, 110030

On a hillock on Anuvrat Marg, near the Qutub Complex

📍 Get Directions🗺️ View on map

🚇 Nearest Metro: Qutub Minar (Yellow Line) — about a 10–15 minute walk or short auto

🚶 Walking from Metro: From Qutub Minar metro it is a 10–15 minute walk or a short (5-minute) auto to the Ahinsa Sthal hillock.

Distance from

  • • Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL): 15 km (~40 min)
  • • New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS): 17 km (~48 min)
  • • Connaught Place: 16 km (~45 min)

Parking

street · Free / nominal

Limited parking near the hillock; easy by auto from the metro.

🚕 Ride Hailing Tip: Uber and Ola drop on Anuvrat Marg near the hillock; it is a short auto from Qutub Minar metro.

How to Reach: Ahinsa Sthal is on Anuvrat Marg in Mehrauli, close to the Qutub Complex. Nearest metro: Qutub Minar (Yellow Line), about 0.8–2 km — a 10–15 minute walk or a short auto (about 5 minutes). The granite Mahavir statue sits on a hillock marked by Jain flags.

Things to Do

  • View the granite Mahavir statue
  • Walk the garden pathways up the hillock
  • Sit for quiet reflection
  • Read about ahimsa (non-violence)
  • Combine with the Qutub Minar

Best Time to Visit

Best SeasonOctober to MarchBest Time of DayEarly morning or late afternoonTime Needed30 minutesCrowd LevelsCalm and contemplative; busiest on Mahavir Jayanti

History & Significance

History

Ahinsa Sthal was established in 1980 by the Digambar Jain community of Delhi, who commissioned a monumental image of Bhagwan Mahavir to embody the principle of ahimsa (non-violence) in the capital.

  • Its centrepiece, a seated Mahavir carved from a single block of granite at Karkala in Karnataka (about 13 feet 6 inches tall and around 30 tonnes), was transported to Delhi and installed on a landscaped hillock beside the Qutub Complex.

🏛️ Architect: The focal artwork is a single-block granite seated Mahavir carved in the South Indian (Karkala) tradition, set on a lotus pedestal atop a landscaped rocky hillock with garden pathways — a memorial-garden layout rather than an ornate multi-shikhara temple complex.

Significance

Ahinsa Sthal is a serene Jain memorial and meditation garden dedicated to Bhagwan Mahavir and the ideal of ahimsa — a monumental single-granite statue on a landscaped hillock — and a rare quiet green retreat immediately beside the crowded Qutub Minar.

Places to Visit Nearby

Qutub Minar

0.5 km away

The 73-metre victory tower and the rust-free Iron Pillar.

Mehrauli Archaeological Park

1 km away

A 200-acre open-air museum of tombs, a stepwell and colonial follies.

Garden of Five Senses

3.5 km away

A 20-acre themed leisure garden of sculptures, spice beds and cafés.

Family & Accessibility

Kid Friendly3of 5Stroller AccessPartialWheelchair AccessPartialChanging RoomNoPet PolicyNo

Family Highlights

  • • A 13-foot single-granite seated Mahavir statue
  • • A quiet landscaped hillock garden
  • • A peaceful pause beside the Qutub Minar
  • • A serene lesson in ahimsa (non-violence)

Photography & Drone

Drone PolicyProhibited

💰 Equipment Fees: Free, no photography fee.

📍 The Golden Spot: The seated granite Mahavir on its hillock against the sky in soft light.

🌅 Best Light Time: Early morning and late afternoon.

Tips & Safety

💡 Insider Tips

🌅 Secret View: The garden pathways up the hillock give a calm, elevated view — a rare quiet spot moments from the Qutub crowds.

🎯 Crowd Hack: It is usually serene; go early or late for the softest light and fewest visitors.

💎 Secret Fact: The Mahavir statue is carved from a single 30-tonne block of granite in the South Indian Karkala tradition and installed here in 1980.

⚡ Express Tour

20 minutes — the statue and a short reflective walk.

🔭 Deep Dive Tour

Half day — Ahinsa Sthal with the Qutub complex and Mehrauli park.

🙏 Etiquette & Dress Code

Do's

  • View the towering single-granite Mahavir statue
  • Walk the quiet garden pathways up the hillock
  • Sit for a few minutes of calm reflection
  • Read about the Jain principle of ahimsa
  • Combine with the adjacent Qutub Minar

Don'ts

  • Do not be loud — it is a place of quiet reverence
  • Do not dress immodestly at the shrine
  • Do not linger on the shadeless hillock without water
  • Do not treat the donation box as an entry fee — it is voluntary

👕 Dress Code: Modest dress; it is a Jain place of reverence.

📷 Photography Rules: Photography is free, including the statue and gardens.

Good to Know

💳 Money & Connectivity

UPIPartialCardsNoCashYes

🏧 Nearest ATM: ATMs around Mehrauli and Saket (within 2 km).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Ahinsa Sthal timings and entry fee?

Entry is free (with a voluntary donation box). The site is open daily; hours vary by source, so aim to visit between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Which is the nearest metro to Ahinsa Sthal?

Qutub Minar on the Yellow Line is the closest, about a 10–15 minute walk or a short 5-minute auto to the hillock in Mehrauli.

What is Ahinsa Sthal?

It is a Jain memorial and meditation garden built in 1980 around a monumental single-granite seated statue of Bhagwan Mahavir, honouring the ideal of ahimsa (non-violence), on a landscaped hillock beside the Qutub Minar.

How big is the Mahavir statue at Ahinsa Sthal?

It stands about 13 feet 6 inches tall and weighs around 30 tonnes, carved from a single block of granite in the South Indian Karkala tradition and set in the lotus meditation posture.

Can I visit Ahinsa Sthal with the Qutub Minar?

Yes — it is only about half a kilometre from the Qutub complex and makes a serene, quiet pause from the heritage crowds; allow about 30 minutes.

Where can I eat vegetarian food near Ahinsa Sthal?

The Saket and Hauz Khas area nearby is rich in pure-veg food — Naivedyam, Sagar Ratna and Saravana Bhavan among them.

Categories

Spirituality & ReligionHeritage & Culture

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PeacefulFree EntryNear MetroPhotography SpotEducationalMorning Walk
#jain-memorial#mahavir-statue#ahimsa#mehrauli#meditation-garden#free-entry
Ahinsa Sthal, New Delhi — TasteYatra