The Ajmer Jain temple, also known as Soniji Ki Nasiyan, is an architecturally rich Jain temple. It was built in the late nineteenth century. The main chamber, known as the Swarna Nagari “City of Gold”, has several gold-plated wooden figures, depicting several figures in the Jain religion. Greatly revered by the Digambar sect of the Jains, the Nasiyan temple is dedicated to Lord Rishabhdev, first of the 24 tirthankara by Rai Bahadur Seth Moolchand and Nemichand Soni. It is situated on Prithvi Raj Marg in Ajmer, the heart of Rajasthan state in India. The foundation of this magnificent Jain temple was laid on 10 October 1864 and the image of the first Tirthankar Lord Rishabhdev (Adinath), was installed in the Sanctum Sanctorum on 26 May 1865.  This work was carried out under the able guidance of the great scholar Pandit Sadasukhdasji of Jaipur. But the hidden gem in Ajmer is Soniji Ki Nasiyan aka Lal mandir that was built over 100+ years back by a rich Jain businessman or a Seth. What you see here is a huge hall 90 ft X 65 ft X 92 ft in dimension, with a diorama of a complete Jain city Ayodhya Nagari. At the time of the birth of a Jain saint Adinath. There is a complete 3 storied palace built with scenes depicting the life of the city. The huge armies of elephants and horses are depicted on the ground. There are devas or demigods on their planes coming to visit the earth at the city of Ayodhya made holy by the birth of the saint Adinath. The walls adorn the glass paintings showing scenes and stories from the Jain scriptures.

The whole aura is of grandeur, divinity, and celebration. It is said that the models were created and showcased in Jaipur before they were brought here. You can view this huge piece of sculpture only through a small opening in the walls of the hall. And that too through a glass. But for the security reasons, you want to step inside and feel like how a literally golden city would be. For some reason, I had never heard of this place until I actually landed in front of it. This was the hidden surprise of this trip of mine.