On the outskirts of Ajmer, along the highway, rises the strikingly modern Nareli Jain Temple complex. Its main shrine stands on a broad plinth with sharp, angular shikharas that give the temple a contemporary profile, especially when lit up at night. Polished marble, geometric patterns, manicured gardens and water features create a very clean, organised atmosphere. Around the main temple are plans/structures for 24 smaller temples on the surrounding hill, each dedicated to a Tirthankara, turning the site into a modern Jain tirtha. From the terraces you get panoramic views of Ajmer city and the Aravalli hills, making it spiritually and visually impressive.
About this place
History & highlights
Nareli is a new-age Jain pilgrimage centre, developed largely in the late 20th and early 21st century. Work began in the 1990s under the initiative and funding of industrialist Ashok Patni of RK Marbles and other Jain patrons; the main temple is dedicated to Rishabhanatha and follows the Digambara tradition. Construction costs reportedly rose from an estimated ₹50 crore to nearly ₹100 crore as the complex expanded. The design consciously mixes traditional Jain temple elements (mandapa, shikhara, pradakshina path) with modern lines and materials, signalling both continuity and innovation in contemporary Jain architecture. Today Nareli draws pilgrims from across India and is often combined in itineraries with the older Dilwara and Ranakpur Jain temples, symbolising how Jain religious geography keeps growing with new additions.
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