Guru Mandirs / Guru Murthis in South India

In the recent past, since blogging I have noticed that Shri Vijay Shanti Surishwarji - Guru Dev’s guru bhakths are spread across the world. The blog has had readers from United Kingdom, USA, UAE, Malaysia and Russia. It was really surprising to find Guru Bhakths in Russia! It would be interesting to know about number of Guru Mandirs outside of India. This blog is an attempt to cover the various Guru Mandirs in the south of India, where it is either an exclusive Guru Mandir or it has a Guru Dev's Murthi. 16 in Tamilnadu, 3 in Karnataka and 1 in Andhra Pradesh:

TAMILNADU:
Shri Vijay Shanti Surishwarji Jain Guru Mandir68,Arunachalam Naicken street , Chintadripet,
Chennai-600002
Ph # 044-28457032

Shri Shanti Gurudev Jain Mandir
30,Beri kaliamman street
Vellore - 632004
Ph # 09442357908

Shri Vijay Shanti Guru Mandir
146,Main bazaar
Ootacamund,Nilgiris 643001
Ph # 09843097188

Shri Vijay Shanti Surishwarji Jain Guru MandirErode - 638001
Ph # 0424-2222451

Shri Balchandji Bachawat Ghar Mandir
Mount Pleasant,coonoor,
Coonoor, Nilgiris - 643217
Ph # 0423-231357

Shri Prarthana MandirVepery High road, Vepery,
Chennai - 600007
Ph # 044-26432523

Shri Parashwanath Jain MandirTirupattur - 635601
Ph # 09443810008

Shri Sambhavnath Jain Mandir
Vaniyambadi - 635751
Ph # 04174-229789

Shri Sambhavnath Jain MandirVillipuram - 605602
Ph # 09443383368

Shri Shantinath Jain Mandir
Tanjore - 613009
Ph # 04362-231793

Shri Sumthinath Jain MandirMayavaram - 609001
Ph # 09443071794

Shri Sheetalnath Jain Mandir
Panrutti - 607106
Ph # 09443523279

Shri Jain DadawadiCoonoor, Nilgiris-643217
Ph # 0423-231357

Shri Vasupujya Swami Jain MandirMain Bazaar
Ootacamund,Nilgiris 643001
Ph # 0423-2440589

Shri Gurukripa Hospital
Naickan Palayam
Coimbatore - 641020
Ph # 09443390385

Shri Munisuvrath Swami Jain TempleTrichy - 620001
Ph # 0431-2303204

ANDHRA PRADESH
Shri Shantisurishwarji Guru Mandir
Chaitanyapuri ,
Hyderabad - 500060
Ph # 040-24042300

KARNATAKA
Shri Simandhar swami shantisuriji jain Guru MandirVV Puram,
Bangalore - 560004
Ph # 09341222847

Shri Vijay Shanti surishwarji Gyan Mandir
Bangalore - 560002
Ph # 09341222847

Shri Vijay Surishwarji Guru MandirBijapur - 586101
Ph # 094497-41819

I have visited a few of the above Guru Mandirs. I have special memories of visiting Guru Mandir in Chennai, Ooty and Bangalore. I hope to cover visiting all of the others and share my experiences. I am sure, Guru Bhakths planning to visit South India will have something special to visit, as part of their travel plans.

My special thank you to Ms. Pooja Marlecha, for helping me gather details of the various Guru Mandirs and share them with each one of you.

ॐ अरहम नमः

2011 - Vasanth Panchami Celebrations in Bangalore

Shri Simandhar Shantisurishwarji Guru Mandir in V.V Puram Bangalore, celebrated Guru Dev's birthday and Diksha Divas - known as वसंत पंचमी . This is Guru Dev's 121st birth anniversay. His birth place is Manadhar in Rajasthan and Diksha place - Ramseen in Rajasthan.




Guru Dev's father was Bhim Tola Ji and mother was Vasudevi. His birth name was Sagthoji. He took diksha when he was around 15 years old. His Guru was Shri Tirth Vijay Ji and his Dada Guru was Shri Dharam Vijay Ji. Guru Dev's demise happened in Achalgarh and was his last rites were performed in Mandoli (1943). The Mandoli Samadhi Mandir, his first temple was consecrated on Vasanth Panchami in the year 1945.

The celebrations included marvelous and glittering Angi, using gems. Was not lucky to capture high quality pictures this time, as did not carry my camera :( It also had devotional bhakthi, quizzes on Guru Dev and Jain Thirthankars. Not the least, prizes based on lucky draws. Folks were fully enthused with their prayers and wishes for Guru Dev.

ॐ अर्हम नमः

गुरु श्री - गुरु कृपा

Guru bhakths like us are all gifted, that we have found our Guru in Shri Shanti Guru Dev. It is very unique that we have our Guru and continuing to have his Guru Krupa on thousands of devotees, even after his attainment of dev log in the year 1943. This is very exceptional for a Jain Saadhu, especially who had no formal disciples. His mahima is so great, that two or more generations now find their Guru in him.

As far as my farthest memory goes, I had heard about Shri Shanti Vijay Surishwarji from my Grand Father. I used to see his picture at my Grandfather’s shop, whenever I used to visit them during our summer vacations. Never did I ever realize then, that I will find my Guru in him! However, as I grew up with various religions, gods and Jain munis, I used to feel that “one single source” in which ever form or shape it may be, is needed for my inspirations. That missing link “Guru Krupa” got connected, because of my wife. If not for her, I don’t think I would have been fortunate to find his blessings.

In the last few weeks, I have been wondering, as to what brings in such high level of inspirations, energy and devotions in his Guru bhakths, especially the current generations who are driven by logic and science! It includes my own self reflections. We all must have heard different things about Guru Dev’s greatness, his principles, ideologies etc. and must have got inspired through them.

I urge that each of us share thoughts and ideas about Guru Dev’s principles, ideologies etc., which will be of great value to the Guru Bhakth fraternity. Through this, I am sure, that we all will continue to learn more about him and his preachings to make our life lighter, brighter and continue being blessed by Guru Krupa.

Please do share your thoughts using the "Comments" section/link below.

ॐ अर्हम नमः

Shri Shanti Vijay Guru Mandir Consecration in Ooty (Nilgiris)

Ooty - a famous southern hill station celebrated Shri Shanthi Vijay Guru Dev’s temple consecration (prathista) on Thursday, 20-Jan-2011. This historic moment would not have been possible without the major support and dedication of the Kataria. For the Kataria family, the inspiration for Guru Dev’s temple has transformed the vision of temple creation into a reality now. The consecration celebrations was grand with processions through the main streets of Ooty, creating a feeling and atmosphere that the whole of Nilgiris was welcoming Guru Dev. This temple consecration was performed by the Vidhikarak along with the blessing of Jain Sadhus and Sadhvis.


This Guru Mandir has a very graceful idol of Shri Shanti Vijay Guru Dev। Similar to Guru Dev’s temple in Mt Abu in Gujarat(near Sun Set point and one in Achalgarh), it gives a feeling that now Guru Dev has marked his presence now in Abu of the South – Ooty. Additionally, it has two special idols of Guru Dev in Gold and Silver.




I have always been curious to discover Guru Dev’s preachings and principles. I learn that one of his key tenets was education. He believed in “सा विद्या या विमुक्तये” – the one that eradicates ignorance is true education. Through education, he wanted to spread the message of “वासुदेव कुटुम्बम” and “विश्व प्रेम”. Sri Shanti Vijay Schools in Ooty (oldest one opened in 1928) managed by SSV Educational Trust in the vicinity of Guru Mandir, is one such example whose mission is to deliver education and spirituality to thousands of students today. The opening of the Guru Mandir in Ooty and existence of Guru Dev’s schools makes it a true Gurukul environment.

Celebrating the Guru Mandir Prathista, Shri Shanti Mandal Vellore performed such a devotional bhakthi and Ashta Prakar Ki Pooja, taking the devotees through the life history of Gurudev created a feeling of Guru Dev’s presence and energy all around.

ॐ अर्हम नमः

References: Jains Educational Institutions

Guru Bhakthi - 2011 New Year Eve in Chennai

Thousands of Guru bhakths celebrate new year eve 2011 with Guru Dev Shri Shantisuriswarji

For centuries New year eve celebrations is symbolic for optimism, prosperity, wellness and growth and happiness in all our lives. Different people celebrate the same in multitude of ways. Some celebrate with family at home, some travel for holidays to exotic destinations, some celebrate by visiting temples or churches and some spend it in various types of parties. The way Guru bhakths celebrate entry into the new year in Chennai is unprecedented, unique and remarkable. For the last twenty years, Shri Shanti Mandal – Vellore has been kind to perform Guru Bhakthi at SVSS Jain Guru Mandir – Chennai (Chintadaripet), with such passion, enthusiasm and zeal that each Guru Bhakth involved in the Bhakthi believes and feels the liveliness of the Guru Dev’s aura.

The turnout of Guru Bhakths this year was unparalleled. Families, friends and children turned out in great numbers. Both the old and new hall of the temples were packed with ardent Guru Bhakths, immersed in Guru Bhakthi in order to connect with Guru Dev, share prayers and start the new year with his darshan and blessings.

About few minutes before the clock turns into the new year, the most popular Bhakthi “स्वमिये गुरु देवा, गुरु देवा स्वमिये” interestingly in the local language “Tamil” enthuses not just the Guru Bhakths but also folks around the temple area with tons of positive energy and devotion. Describing the entire atmosphere around is just beyond words. Every Guru Bhakth is eager to get the glimpse of Guru Dev when the calendar clocks into the new year - 2011! What a gracious way of beginning the new year!

ॐ अर्हम नमः