Rishabhdev Tapasthali Jain Mandir
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
On the eastern bank of the Ganga, in the Andawa neighbourhood of Jhusi along the old Prayagraj–Varanasi road, the Rishabhdev Tapasthali Jain Mandir is one of the city's most significant Digambar Jain tirthas. It commemorates the tradition that Bhagwan Rishabhdev — also called Adinath, the first Tirthankara and, in Jain belief, the founder of civilisation, agriculture and dharma — received diksha (renunciation) and performed his early tapasya (austerity) at Prayag. For pilgrims, this quiet complex across the river from the great Sangam completes the sacred geography of the confluence city with a distinctly Jain dimension, and it draws a steady flow of devotees and travellers curious about one of India's oldest spiritual lineages.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦The temple's own Jain bhojanshala / pilgrim community kitchen (pure-veg satvik thali, often onion-garlic-free) when operating
- ✦The pure-veg kachori-sabzi, jalebi and chaat counters of Loknath Gali and Katra across the river
- ✦Pure-vegetarian thali kitchens and mithai shops of Civil Lines
About
On the eastern bank of the Ganga, in the Andawa neighbourhood of Jhusi along the old Prayagraj–Varanasi road, the Rishabhdev Tapasthali Jain Mandir is one of the city's most significant Digambar Jain tirthas.
- It commemorates the tradition that Bhagwan Rishabhdev — also called Adinath, the first Tirthankara and, in Jain belief, the founder of civilisation, agriculture and dharma — received diksha (renunciation) and performed his early tapasya (austerity) at Prayag.
- For pilgrims, this quiet complex across the river from the great Sangam completes the sacred geography of the confluence city with a distinctly Jain dimension, and it draws a steady flow of devotees and travellers curious about one of India's oldest spiritual lineages.
- The site rests on scriptural memory.
- Jain texts such as the Harivamsha Purana and the Padma Purana are cited by the temple's own tradition as recording Prayag as the place where Rishabhdev took initiation, by tradition beneath a spreading banyan tree, before wandering in meditation toward omniscience (kevala jnana).
- Whether one reads these accounts as history or as devotional cosmology, they root the modern shrine in a very old current of belief, and the temple presents the story plainly on its inscriptions rather than as spectacle.
- Visitors of all faiths are welcome; the atmosphere is one of study, silence and unhurried circumambulation.
- The present temple is a modern construction, completed in early 2001, and its scale is what most people remember.
- The main shrine houses a striking black-stone image of Adinath in the seated, meditative Digambar posture.
- At the heart of the premises stands its signature feature: an artificial Kailash-Parvata, a hill-like structure reported to measure roughly 108 by 72 by 50 feet, crowned by a large seated figure of Rishabhdev in a deep red hue that is visible from a distance.
- Cave-like shrine chambers within the mount evoke the meditation of the Tirthankara, and the temple maintains dharamshala accommodation for pilgrims.
- Modest, well-kept gardens and the riverside setting make it a calm half-hour to an hour of quiet sightseeing.
- Being a Jain kshetra, the food culture around Rishabhdev Tapasthali is emphatically pure vegetarian and satvik.
- When a bhojanshala is operating for pilgrims, the community kitchen serves simple, freshly cooked Jain thali fare — often prepared without onion and garlic — and this is the most reliable pure-veg meal right at the site.
- Back across the river in the city, you are close to Prayagraj's celebrated pure-veg institutions: the kachori-sabzi, jalebi and chaat counters around Loknath Gali and Katra, and the pure-vegetarian thali kitchens and mithai shops of Civil Lines.
- Carry water for the visit, and if you want a guaranteed satvik meal, ask at the temple office about the bhojanshala timings before you set out.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Andawa, Jhusi, Prayagraj–Varanasi Road, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211019
How to Reach: The temple is at Andawa in Jhusi, on the east bank of the Ganga along the Prayagraj–Varanasi road, roughly 10–12 km from the city centre and about 8 km from the river bank on the Jhusi side. From central Prayagraj (Civil Lines or the Sangam area) cross the Ganga via the Jhusi bridge; auto-rickshaws, taxis and app cabs run there, and Jhusi has its own railway halt. Prayagraj Junction is the main railhead and Prayagraj (Bamrauli) Airport the nearest airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rishabhdev Tapasthali Jain Mandir known for?
It is a Digambar Jain tirtha marking the tradition that Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Adinath), the first Tirthankara, received diksha and performed tapasya at Prayag. Its best-known feature is a large artificial Kailash-Parvata structure crowned by a seated red image of Rishabhdev, alongside a main shrine with a black-stone Adinath idol. The modern temple was completed in early 2001.
Where is the temple located and how do I get there?
It stands at Andawa in the Jhusi area, on the east bank of the Ganga along the Prayagraj–Varanasi road, roughly 10–12 km from the city centre. Cross the Ganga via the Jhusi bridge; autos, taxis and app cabs serve the route. Prayagraj Junction is the nearest major railway station and Jhusi has its own railway halt.
Is there an entry fee and what are the timings?
There is no entry fee; the temple is a place of worship open to visitors of all faiths. Darshan is generally available from about 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, though hours can vary and there may be a midday break. It is best to confirm timings locally or with the temple office before visiting.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the Rishabhdev Tapasthali temple?
As a Jain kshetra the site is strictly pure vegetarian. When the pilgrim bhojanshala is running it serves simple satvik Jain thali meals, often prepared without onion and garlic, right at the complex. Across the river in the city you are near Prayagraj's pure-veg favourites — the kachori-sabzi, jalebi and chaat counters of Loknath and Katra and the pure-vegetarian thali kitchens of Civil Lines.
Is the temple suitable for families and older visitors?
Yes. It is a calm, well-kept complex that most people cover comfortably in under an hour, making it easy for families and senior travellers. The temple also maintains dharamshala accommodation for pilgrims, so it works well as a peaceful, unhurried stop within a wider Prayagraj pilgrimage itinerary.