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In Jainism, a Bhonyra (Prakrit languages: भोंयरा Bhōnyarā, Sanskrit: भूमिगृह Bhūmigr̥ha) is an underground chamber with Jain images. In the past, it was used to conceal sacred idols during times of disturbance.
There are several Jain temples in Bundelkhand that existed as a concealed bhonyra chamber for several centuries before being rediscovered.
In 2001, an entire Jain temple was found beneath a mound known as Rajgadhi Timbo at Umta, Gujarat. It was apparently buried to protect it from the destruction about 800 years ago.
In some regions, it became a common practice to build a bhonyra attached to the temple. Naya Mandir in Delhi has a concealed chamber. A visitor in 1876 described it:
In Delhi I found a Jain temple which was wholly unknown to Europeans well acquainted with the city; and on prosecuting inquiry, I got its priest to open to me a concealed chamber containing large statues of several of the Tirthankaras richly ornamented.
The chamber has now been given the form of a cave, suitable for peaceful meditation by visiting Jain monks.
A few years ago, several Jain idols were rediscovered in a bhonyara in Sanghiji temple, Sanganer in Rajasthan.
Some of the Jain temples in Ahmedabad have an underground chamber.
See also
References
- गोपाचल के निकटवर्ती तीर्थ क्षेत्र http://hindi.webdunia.com/religion/religion/jainism/0708/11/1070811065_2.htm
- Umta residents seek custody of Jain temple http://www.gujaratplus.com/00-01archive/arc393.html
- A RUN THROUGH KATHIAWAR—THE HOLY MOUNTAIN, Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine Published by W. Blackwood, 1876, Item notes: v.120 1876 Jul-Dec
- Shri Digamber Jain Atishaya Kshetra Mandir, Sanghiji, Sanganer http://www.jainteerth.com/teerth/sanganer.asp Archived 19 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- PERFECT 10: JAIN TEMPLES, Ahmedabad Mirror, Jan 20, 2018 Many of the temples are believed to have been built in a manner where the idols were placed on the lower ground level
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