First Jain Golden Temple (Swarn Mandir) of India Situated in Falna, Rajasthan - A Famous Tourist Spot.

The First Jain Golden Temple Build in the Country in ''Falna'' Rajasthan short history of its emergence : -On a Cold Night in 2002,when the children had dozed off to sleep,a bunch of women in a small part of Rajasthan left their homes & started walking towards the village jain temple where a small crowd had gathered.Each had something knotted at the end of their odhnis that thumped against their sides as they hurried through the streets.
on Reaching the spot, the women quietly untied the knots & handed over the small boxes hidden inside over to an elderly old man,the contents making a tinkling sound as they hit his palms,

Photography : Deepti Solanki

the women's heart glowed with pride.soon they would become part of history as their sacrifice would take the shape of a bigger Jain temple.The boxes that were handed over that night contained gold jewellery some generations old,that now forms the 80-kg golden exterior of the temple, known as Swarn Mandir,a famous shrine for jains, stands tall less than 5 minutes from the Falna Railway Station in Pali District of Rajasthan, a station deeply seeped in history and folklore that demands attention from all people who step down from their trains. It is major attraction to pilgrims, the temple belongs to Shri Shankheshwar Parshwanath Bhagwan there is also a Small Temple Built underground of it  known as ''Kanch Mandir'' which means mirror temple, as the whole walls inside it are covered 

Photography : Deepti Solanki

 
of small pieces of colorful mirrors is also center of attraction. Beautiful lighting ,massive gate at the entrance with beautiful carving done on it ,along with a grand Chandelier as we see up at the entrance enhance its beauty. Inside the temple facilities for rest rooms, washrooms, cold drinking water, and meal is also provided at minimum charges.

Location of Falna, Development of Falna Railway Station, and its Importance in the History of Railways in India.

Falna Railway Station Photography by : Deepti Solanki

Falna is a beautiful town located  in Pali District of Rajasthan State of India.The station has direct trains from Mumbai & Ahmadabad making it one of the most popular transit station in the Rajasthan State. Falna that remains little known to people outside Rajasthan is the States second largest earning station after Ajmer Junction.The daily transactions at the station is more than 3 lakhs confirms the station master.The modern exterior of Falna Railway Station belies its importance in history of railways,One can clearly see the development of the Station from past so many years,clean platforms,black concrete benches, a foot-over-bridge & quaint food stalls conceal the many folklore.
There are three waiting rooms,a big ticket counter & several toilets along with all these modern amenities,there is a ancient round building with the red dome ,which peeps at us from right side of the station. The Station master Mr. Kamlesh Dixit says in 1881 when station came into existence,the small building served as the office,enquiry & ticket counter.

Photography by : Deepti Solanki

However at present some officials of station have their desk inside the structure that remains cool even when the temperature outside is close to 40 degree Celsius.The construction of the building is so strong that some years ago when some wires had to be installed in the building, it took 2 days to labourers to drill a hole through thick wall.

The First train in the region Started in the year 1881 when steam engine travelled from Aburoad Station (closest station to mount abu) to Ahmadabad. A day later another train started from Aburoad to Ajmer station,that crossed the Falna station,marking a stupendous moment in its history.
Over the years, however,the station has come out of the shadows of being transit and thanks to the philanthropy of its previous residents, has slowly turned into a potential destination. 

Area one of the greenest in Rajasthan

 Falna Roadside Photography by : Deepti Solanki

Amongst many folklore's surrounding Falna station is the story of the jains who at one point dominated the area. in an undated year, when drought and famine struck the place, the jains left it to took sustenance in Bombay and Gujarat where they hit gold and established businesses.For the past many years, the jains who had left have started investing back the money into the area,building roads,planting trees & constructing more schools.Tourism has increased after that.One of its late resident Kishore Khimawat From nearby Khimel has made the station area one of the most greenest in Rajasthan. During his lifetime, he planted Five Lakh neem trees there.

Radiant Sunset Captured @ Falna.. Photography : Deepti Solanki — in Falna, Rajasthan.

Short Story About Emergence of Falna Railway Station-

The Story of how Rajput pride & blackmail led to the Naming of the Railway Station After Falna Village :-The Story dates back 154 years when in 1859 the British wanted to acquire land to build railway station & railway tracks.most of the land fell in Falna but the station itself was closed to village called khudala.At that time of land acquisition,the Rajput residents of Falna,however,set a condition in which they agreed to give land only if the station is named after their village.The British had no other option but to agree. To this day residents of khudala grudge the blackmail & insist that had Falna station been actually located in Falna, it would not have seen so much development.