Excursions

• Sonagir or Sonagiri that literally means ‘golden hill’ is a hill dotted with white Jain temples about 15 kms from Datia town and attracts attention from quite a distance. 
• It is a sacred place for Digambar Jain sect and is associated with the 8th Tirthankar Chandraprabha. 
• There are 77 temples dedicated to the various Tirthankars and many of them belong to 9th -10th century.
• A majority of the Jain holy places are located in the hills and they are oasis of absolute peace & tranquility. Sonagiri is no different.

• A climb up the hill last evening was an exhilarating experience. 
• There is an ancient temple at the base which has a collection of some priceless statues made in Sphatik & jade. 
• The glass inlay work in the sanctum is amazing and has earned this temple the name ‘Kanchka Mandir’.
• Jains are a prosperous community in India. They contribute a lot for charity without yearning for publicity. 
• A visit to their holy temples always act as a soothing balm and give solace to the mind & the soul !!