About Shri Siddhachalam Jain Tirth

Shri Siddhachalam Jain Tirth is a Jain Tirth located in an idyllic setting in rural New Jersey, USA, on 120 acres of hilly terrain. Shri Siddhachalam Jain Tirth was founded in 1983 by the Acharya Sushil Kumarji. It was here that Guruji, as he was lovingly called, perfected the secret science of sound behind the Navkaar Mantra. The mantra is considered by Jains to be the most auspicious of all mantras.

Siddhachalam literally means a "mountain [in homage] to the siddhas. Siddhas are all who attain moksha, that is, liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. In other words, Siddhachalam means a permanent homage to the great souls that have attained moksha. Moksha is central to Jain Dharma. Indeed, Jain Dharma is often referred to as a dharma that sets forth a path to liberation ("mokshasmarg").

Shri Siddhachalam Jain Tirth comprises temples, residence for visiting monks and nuns, library, cabins for temporary stay for worshippers, congregation hall, community dining hall, nature and meditation trails, and play grounds. It has a beautiful lake and several ponds filled with water from natural springs. It is also a safe sanctuary for deer, peacocks, turkeys, cats and other animals and birds.

Siddhachalam has three Jinalayas (temples). The main temple has magnificent marble idols of Lord Adinath, Lord Parsvanath, Lord Mahavira, Lord Chandraprabhu, Lord Shantinath and Bahubali Bhagwan. The smaller temple's main idol is that of Lord Parsvanath which is carved in magnificent black marble. The smallest temple is a meditation spot with several idols.

Shri Siddhachalam Jain Tirth has a large library containing old and new books on religion, ahimsa, peace, environment, vegetarianism, health and related subjects. The library is open to all during the weekends and to residents throughout the week. Ahimsa Bhavan has a large meditation and meeting hall, and the second floor has a large bhojanshala with a full kitchen.

Shikharji in Jharkhand, India, is the most important place of pilgrimage for Jains. Here, 20 of our 24 Tirthankars of the current avasarpini (cycle of time) attained moksha, as well as countless other siddhas. The world’s first, to-scale, complete replica of Teerthadhiraj Shikharji was opened at Siddhachalam Jain Tirth at sunrise on August 13, 2012, after four days of joyous and graceful Pratishtha celebrations and ceremonies. That day, Jains became the first religious community to have replicated in North America their most important place of pilgrimage.

The seeds of Shikharji at Siddhachalam were sown almost 70 years ago, when Acharya Sushil Kumarji was a young boy awaiting initiation into monkhood. He saw Siddhachalam in his vision as a place with many beautiful temples in honor of siddha-atmas. That vision is now a reality. With the replication of Shikharji, Siddhachalam reaffirmed its identification as the foremost Jain Tirth outside of India.

The project to replicate Teerthadhiraj Shikharji at Siddhachalam began in early 2009 after it was discovered and confirmed that the layout of Siddhachalam’s 120-acre land substantially mirrored the layout in which Tonks are situated atop Shikharji. The project received blessings by more than 151 Gacchhadhipatis, Acharyas and other sadhugan from of all sects, and received enthusiastic support worldwide. Bhattarak Swami Charukeerthiji and Shasan Ratna Manoj Haran were principal vidhi advisors to the project.

A yatra of all Tonks commencing and closing at Ganadhar Shri Gautam Swami’s Tonk is approximately 5.6 miles (9 km.) in Shikharji and 1.97 miles (3.2 km.) in Siddhachalam. The Shikharji at Siddhachalam Tonk is similar to a typical Tonk at Shikharji in terms of size and shape. However, certain Tonks at Shikharji, such as that of Shri Parsvanath Prabhu, Shri Suvidhinath Prabhu and Shri Gautam Swami are markedly different from others. Some differences there evolved over time.

The Tonks of Shikharji at Siddhachalam face in the same direction as in Shikharji. There are many other points of interesting comparison, including the relative altitude of the various Tonks. All Tonks are connected by paved roads, and resting stations have been built at regular intervals. Most Tonks are handicapped accessible. The Tonks are constructed from white marble from a mine previously used for the renovation of Dilwara Temples in Mount Abu, India. The marble is known for withstanding extreme weather in the outdoors.

Shri Siddhachalam Jain Tirth is our very own Tirth in North America for Jains from all over to come and seek spiritual upliftment in a beautiful atmosphere.