Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, Koba

Literary Saviours

About the Organization & Quantity of Restoration

Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, Koba

Standing as a beacon of Jain spiritual heritage and learning, this center is dedicated to fostering inner peace, enlightenment, and devotion. Nestled in the serene surroundings of Koba, it welcomes seekers from all walks of life to engage in spiritual practices, gain knowledge, and experience a profound connection with the teachings of Jainism. Through well-preserved manuscripts, enriching programs, and an environment of calm reflection, the center provides an ideal sanctuary for introspection, learning, and growth in the light of Lord Mahavir’s timeless principles.
They proudly present a vast collection of spiritual and scholarly resources. With over 3 lakh handwritten manuscripts, 4 lakh books, and thousands of publications and magazine issues, our library is a treasure trove of Jain wisdom. You can easily search the collection using keywords to find the resources you need. Explore our growing digital archive, preserving centuries of knowledge for future generations.
The library also publishes the monthly magazine “ShrutSagar” and reedits Jain texts published by Acharya Shri Bhadraguptasurishwarji. Cataloging of ancient manuscripts continues relentlessly, with 39 volumes published so far, and over 100 more expected. Important ongoing activities include digitization, cataloguing, preservation, conservation, ancient script training, text data compilation, knowledge archive collection, and reader services.
The https://jainelibrary.org/ website primarily supported by there institute has registered user base of 74,560 from 228 countries, having total download of 17,12,116 books, thus has created own dimensions in scholarly world. SMJAK-AKGM’s efforts ensure continuous service with a dedicated team of about 50 scholars and support staff in both Koba and Ahmedabad, making it a unique and invaluable centre for Jain and Indological studies and cultural research.
It has more than 305518 Manuscripts, more than 5000 Palm leaves, 15 Agar leaves, 2000 Scrolls, 139666 Publications, 400000 Books, 558 Magazines, 44784 Magazine Issues, 122575 Scholars, 33276 Publishers , 3735 Book Series, 12735 Cities , 207179 Manuscript PDF’s , 25158 Publication PDFs, 10520 Magazine Issue PDFs.

World’s largest collection of Antique Jain books

About the Organization & Quantity of Restoration

Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra (SMJAK), Acharya Shri Kailsasagarsuri Gyanmandir (AKGM), Koba, Ahmedabad is a leading institution focused on the preservation, restoration, and promotion of Jain and Indological spiritual cultural heritage. It operates two branches: Gyanmandir, a public library and Indological research institute, and the Samrat Samprati Sangrahalay, a museum. Founded by Pujya Rashtrasant Acharya Shri Padmasagarasuriji Maharaj, the library holds 300,000 manuscripts in 17 scripts, more than 4,00,000 printed books, more than 45,000 issues of 368 rare Indological journals, 207,179 scanned manuscripts, and 96 microfilm rolls.
With over 2,500 registered readers, including monks, researchers, and students, Gyanmandir has become a global hub for research. Its immense contributions to preserving cultural heritage were recognized by the Golden Book of World Records. Advanced restoration methods, such as fumigation and Japanese tissue paper, are applied to protect fragile manuscripts. A unique cataloging system, recording over 400 details for each manuscript, makes rare texts accessible to scholars worldwide.
The institution is restoring thousands of ancient manuscripts, ranging from 100 to 800 years old, including palm-leaf manuscripts, paper manuscripts, and writings on agar leaves. It also handles extremely fragile scrolls up to 30-40 feet long, printed books, and magazines. The conservation lab has successfully restored hundreds of manuscripts, thousands of pages, and several scrolls. Specially trained lab technicians are dedicated to the task, continuing efforts to assemble scattered and damaged pages. Over 10 million pages have been digitized to preserve these valuable texts. This ongoing restoration project is vital for safeguarding our heritage.
The institution’s future roadmap focuses on enhancing restoration and preservation efforts, expanding the conservation team, and upgrading laboratory resources. Over the next three years, it plans to explore 100,000+ ancient texts in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and other languages across millions of manuscripts and printed books. Key initiatives include the cataloging and conservation of manuscripts, compiling scholar family trees, and publishing important Grants. Additionally, infrastructure and technology development, including the improvement of software for metadata management, is a priority. These efforts will make the collection globally accessible, advancing the preservation and dissemination of invaluable ancient knowledge worldwide.

Impact and Research

Services to scholars, researchers and readers : Special service from Gyanmandir is available for Sadhu-Sadhvijis. Gyanmandir is searching out and providing them detailed information to quench their thirst of knowledge. They are also provided pdf and Photostat copies of old manuscripts and books for their study, research and publication work. The reading facility is available in library for bonafide readers. Issue and exchange of books is offered. Acharya Shri Kailasasagarsuri Gyanmandir provides the reading-material to reader according to their status/ level. However the books are required to be returned before the prescribed time limit. Till date Gyan Mandir has done the work of enriching other needy libraries by gifting 96246 books out of the extra books received by it. Which continues further.
Acharya Shri Kailasasagarsuri Gyanmandir is a unique Jain academic research and reference center dedicated to support and promote Jain education, studies and research with it’s fully computerized largest Jain library in the world gains the status of Gyan-Tirth. The pious land of Koba Tirth is famous for the Acharya Shri Kailasasagarsuri Gyanmandir, which is situated in Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra at Koba. The Gyanmandir is located in a huge building having a beautiful mural – depicting the objectives of the Gyanmandir on the front of it and a small temple Ratnamandir built near the entrance.
This Gyanmandir has been established by the blessing and inspiration of Prashantmurti Gachchhadhipati, the great Jain Acharya Shri Kailasasagarsurishwarji Maharaj. This Gyanmandir, on the sacred land of Koba Tirth, is a sign of conclusive creation of the guidance of Yugadrashta, Acharyapravar Shri Padmasagarsuriji Mahraj the grand disciple of Acharya Shri Kailasasagarsurishwarji Maharaj. To establish the eternal memory and everlasting remembrance of his Grand Guru, Acharya Shri Kailasasagarsuri, this Gyanmandir was gratefully named after him.
The incomparable and unmatched Gyanmandir is on the path of success with various types of service oriented schemes. The institution has a global reach, attracting scholars and experts from India and countries like the United States, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, and Germany. It houses an extensive collection in 36 languages, including Asian and international languages, and 17 scripts. The library is recognized for its meticulous cataloguing of Indian classical texts, offering unparalleled depth and accuracy not found in other libraries.
This makes it an invaluable resource for scholars worldwide. In addition to rare manuscripts, the collection includes rare and valuable books from both national and international publishers, making the library a significant hub for research and cultural preservation.

Scalability

The scalability of their work is poised for substantial growth as they expand our conservation team from two to five to seven specialists. This will enhance our ability to restore and preserve rare manuscripts efficiently. The lab will also be upgraded with advanced resources to support these efforts.
Their ambitious project to catalog over 2 million books from more than 300 Jain knowledge repositories across India is already underway through the http://library.kobatirth.org, with plans to make this collection available online, amplifying global access. Furthermore, they are upgrading our proprietary software for metadata management, ensuring seamless accessibility and broadening the impact of our work worldwide.
Shree Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, Koba, has been honored with recognition in the Golden Book of World Records, a testament to its remarkable contributions to Jain spiritual heritage and community service. This award highlights the Kendra’s dedication to preserving and promoting the teachings of Jainism and creating a sanctuary for spiritual growth and enlightenment.
LARGEST COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE INVITATION SCROLLS : The World Record of ‘Largest Collection of Antique Invitation Scrolls’ has been achieved by Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra (SMJAK), Koba, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat, India. Under the guidance of Rastrasaint Acharya Shri Padmasagarsuri Maharaj Saheb; SMJAK has collected 20 antique invitation scrolls. Most of the scrolls are decorated with pictures and belong to the period of 1732-1935.
LONGEST HAND WRITTEN ANTIQUE SCROLL : The World Record of collecting ‘Longest hand written Antique Scroll’ has been achieved by Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra (SMJAK), Koba, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat, India. Under the guidance of Rastrasaint Acharya Shri Padmasagarsuri Maharaj Saheb; SMJAK has collected an antique scroll having dimensions: 26.68 x 0.19 meters. This paper scroll is dated 1835.
Major Manuscript Repositories in India : The National Mission for Manuscripts has identified some repositories across India which has a huge collection of manuscripts. These repositories were established many years ago and they have worked diligently towards collection and preservation of the manuscripts. The manuscript collection at these institutes are vast corpus of literature, spread across different languages and scripts and is available on different kinds of materials like birch bark, palm leaf, cloth, wood, stone. Several rare and ancient manuscript are also part of the collection.

Years Of Existence

Gyanmandir started its activity in year 1987 and inaugurated in year 1993, is a distinctive Jain and Indological academic research and reference center dedicated to advancing Jain education, studies, and research. Located at the heart of spiritual and academic exploration, it serves as a hub for scholars, researchers, and students interested in Jain philosophy, culture, and history.
The center is committed to preserving the rich heritage of Jainism through comprehensive academic resources, publications, and research projects. It offers a wealth of Jain scriptures, texts, and manuscripts for study and reference, making it an invaluable resource for those pursuing deeper knowledge of Jainism.
GyanMandir organizes seminars, workshops, and lectures to foster intellectual exchange and academic dialogue. It collaborates with various academic institutions, scholars, and researchers to promote the study of Jainism and related Indological fields. The center also provides support for those undertaking serious research, offering access to rare texts and resources that are essential for advanced studies.
GyanMandir is dedicated to creating an environment that nurtures intellectual curiosity and encourages scholarly exploration. Through its educational programs and research initiatives, it plays a pivotal role in preserving the Jain tradition while contributing to the broader field of Indology. Its mission is to ensure the continued growth and dissemination of Jain knowledge and thought for future generations.
In this tirth, the temple with a big gate, looks beautiful like a god’s residence. Every year on May 22, the sunray passing through the pinnacle is made to fall on the mark of pigment on the forehead of the idol of Bhagawan Mahavir Swami. It shines brightly like a diamond, keeping in view.
On that day’s thousands of devoted worshippers and researchers come here. The present new temple Gurumandir, Aradhana Bhavan and Gyanmandir are really famous for their new worship and structure. This place is a spring of propitiation and knowledge. In the museum, there are. The artistic models in this museum are the best artistic specimens of the period from the eighth to the 12th century.
Under the inspiration of Acharyashri Padmasagarsuri Maharaj Saheb, the Koba tirth was set up in memory of His Holiness Acharyashri Kailas Sagarsuriji Maharaj Saheb, With his blessing Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra was established here on December 26, 1980. This is an excellent and matchless center of propitiation of dharma and attainment of spiritual knowledge, activities of religion, spiritual knowledge, activities of religion, dissemination of religion. Here is an immensely splendid temple of Mahavirswami.

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