Ø Dilwara Jain Temples is one of the finest Jain temple known world over for its extraordinary architecture and marvelous marble stone carvings,
Ø some experts also consider it architecturally superior to the Taj Mahal. It seems fairly basic temple from outside but every cloud has a silver lining, the temple interior showcases the extraordinary work of human craftsmanship at its best.
Ø These temples were built between 11th to 13th century AD, The beautiful lush green hills surrounding the temple gives a very pleasant feeling. The Jain Dilwara temples of India are located about 2½ kilometers from Mount Abu
Ø The ornamental details of marble stone carvings is phenomenal and unmatched, The minutely carved ceilings and the pillars are just amazing.
Ø All this was done at a time when no transport or roads were available at a height of 1200+ Mtrs in Mount Abu , Huge blocks of marble stones were transported on elephant backs from the Arasoori Hills at Ambaji to this remote hilly region of Mount Abu
Ø Dilwara Temple
Ø The marble temples have an opulent entranceway, the simplicity in architecture reflecting Jain values like honesty and frugality. The temples are in the midst of a range of forested hills.
Ø A high wall shrouds the temple complex. Although the Jains built some beautiful temples at other places in Rajasthan, some believe that none come close to these in terms of architectural perfection.
Ø The ornamental detail spreading over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels is simply marvellous. For the people who come to perform puja here, there are facilities to bathe and get ready.
Ø The facilities use passive solar power to heat up the water for bathing and other things. Guided tour hours for tourists are posted outside the temple. You might see occasional monkeys looking for food around.
Five Unique Temples
Ø There are 5 temples in all, each with its own unique identity. Each is named after the small village in which it is located.
1 Mahavir Swami (Shri Mahavir Swamiji temple) dedicated to the last Jain Tirthankar lord Mahavir.
2 Vimal Vasahi (Shri Adi Nathji temple) dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar lord Rishabh.
3 Khartar Vasahi (Shri Parshva Nathji temple) dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankar lord Parshva
4 Pithalhar (Shri Rishabha Devji temple) dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar lord Rishabh
5 Luna Vasahi (Shri Neminathji temple) dedicated to the 22nd Jain Tirthankar lord Neminatha.
Ø Shri Mahaveer Swami Temple
Ø this temple is relatively small the temple's upper walls have pictures of the porch painted by craftsmen of sirohi in year 1764.
Ø Shri AdiNath Temple or Vimal Vasahi Temple - This temple carved entirely out of white marble was built in 1021 by Vimal Shah, a minister of Bhimidev I, the Chalukya King (Solanki Maharaja) of Gujarat .
Ø this temple is the oldest of all and dedicated to Shri Adinath Ji - The first jain trithankar,
Ø The temple stands in an open courtyard surrounded by a corridor, which has numerous cells containing smaller idols of the Tirthankaras. The richly carved corridors, pillars, arches, and 'mandaps' or porticoes of the temple are simply amazing.
Ø The ceilings feature engraved designs of lotus-buds, petals, flowers and scenes from Jain and Hindu mythology.
Ø The internal dome is aesthetically decorated with design's of flowers and petals, the huge hall of the temple pillars decorated with the carving work of female figures playing musical instruments.
Ø The Rang mandap is a grand hall supported by 12 decorated pillars and nicely carved out arches with a breathtaking central dome.
Ø On the pillars are carved female figurines playing musical instruments and 16 Vidhyadevis, or the goddesses of knowledge, each one holding her own symbol.
Ø The Navchowki is a collection of nine rectangular ceilings, each one containing beautiful carvings of different designs supported on ornate pillars.
Ø The Gudh mandap is a simple hall once you step inside its heavily decorated doorway. Installed here is the idol of Adi Nath or Lord Rishabdev, as he is also known. The mandap is meant for 'Arti' to the deity.
Ø The Hastishala (Elephant Cell) was constructed by Prithvipal, a descendant of Vimal Shah in 1147-49 and features a row of elephants in sculpture.
Ø Shri ParshavNath Temple or Khartar Vasahi Temple
Ø The carving on the pillars of this temple is yet another example of these jain temples architectural superiority. This temple, dedicated to 23rd Jain Tirthankar Lord Parshvanath was built by Mandlik and his family in 1458-59.
Ø It consists of a three storied building, the tallest of all the shrines at Dilwara. On all the four faces of the sanctum on the ground floor are four big mandaps. The outer walls of the sanctum comprise beautiful sculptures in gray sandstone, depicting Dikpals, Vidhyadevis, Yakshinis, Shalabhanjikas and other decorative sculptures comparable to the ones in Khajuraho and Konarak.
Ø Shri Rishabdeoji Temple or Peethalhar Temple
Ø This temple was built by Bhima Shah, a minister from Gujarat dynasty, like other temples of Dilwara this temple is also having Gudu Mandapa and Navchowki.
Ø A massive metal statue of first Jain Tirthankara Rishabha Dev (Adinath), cast in five metals, is installed in the temple.
Ø The main metal used in this statue is 'Pital' (brass), hence the name 'Pittalhar'.
Ø The Shrine consists of a main Garbhagriha, Gudh mandap and Navchowki. It seems that the construction of Rangmandap and the corridor was left unfinished.
Ø The old mutilated idol was replaced and installed in 1468-69 AD weighing 108 maunds (about 40 quintals or four metric tons) according to the inscription on it.
Ø The image was cast by an artist 'Deta' which is 8 ft (2.4 m). high, 5.5 ft (1.7 m). broad and the figure is 41 inches (1,000 mm) in height.
Ø In Gudh Mandap on one side, a big marble Panch-Tirthi sculpture of Adinath is installed.
Ø Shri NemiNathJi Temple or Luna Vasahi Temple
Ø they dedicated this temple to the 22nd saint of Jainism - Shri Nemi Nathji. The temple was built in memory of their late brother Luna & was designed after the Vimal Vashi temple
Ø This temple has one hall named Rang Mandapa which has three hundred and sixty (360) tiny idols of Jain trithankar all minutely crafted on marble proving once again why these jain marble temples of Dilwara are superior to Taj Mahal,
Ø This main hall or Rang mandap features a central dome from which hangs a big ornamental pendent featuring elaborate carving. Arranged in a circular band are 72 figures of Tirthankars in sitting posture and just below this band are 360 small figures of Jain monks in another circular band.
Ø Among all these white marble idols the idol of Shri Neminath Ji is made up of black marble. The Gudh mandap features this black marble idol of the 22nd Jain Tirthankar Neminatha.
Ø The Kirthi Stambha is a big black stone pillar that stands on the left side of the temple. The pillar was constructed by Maharana Kumbha of Mewar.
Ø The Hathishala or elephant cell features 10 beautiful marble elephants neatly polished and realistically modelled.
Ø The Navchowki features some of the most magnificent and delicate marble stone cutting work of the temple. Each of the nine ceilings here seems to exceed the others in beauty and grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment