Svetamber Jain Temple
POINTS OF INTEREST
Svetamber Jain Temple
Properly called the Indraprastha Tirth Sumatinatha Jain Svetamber Temple, this splendid house of worship is painted head to toe with finely rendered murals and decorations covering the walls, arches, and ceilings. Reflecting the building's surroundings, some of the artwork shows Mughal influence. Look inside the silver doors of the shrine to Sumatinatha—the fifth of Jainism's 24 Tirthankaras (perfect souls)—to see some incredible original painting finished with gold leaf.
As interesting as the temple itself is the street it's located on. It's called Naughara Gali, which directly translates into Nine Houses Street (they date back to the late 18th century). Owned mainly by jewelers, this gated cul-de-sac somehow shuts out all the noise and chaos of the Old City. It's peaceful and charming and each of the houses is brightly painted in shades of pink and blue with floral motifs drawn intricately over the doorways.
