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India Gate Thar Desert Omkareshwar Shopping in Delhi Kanyakumari
Location- Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Known as – Temples of Dilwara
Built around- 15th and 17th century AD
Architecture- Jain style or architecture
Dedicated- Lord Mahavira
Best time to visit- March to April
Principal Feats celebrated- Mahavira Jayanti
Timings- 12:00 noon to 03:00 pm
Photography is strictly prohibited
Dilwara Jain temples are counted among one of the finest Jain temples in the world. The intricate and elaborative carvings and ornamentation of this temple offer magnificence of a heavenly abode. In terms of architectural perfection this temple is top notch as compared to the rest in India. The exteriors of the temple are fairly basic and may exude a different opinion but once inside tourists and faithful alike are transported to a celestial carved courtyard of prayer and meditation that renders an experience that is simply reorienting and refreshing.
Dilwara Jain Temple history- These epitomes of architecture and craftsmanship can be likened to that of the Taj Mahal. Records suggest that the Dilwara Jain temples were built around the 11th and the 13th century. The carvings and the interior decorations of the temple also assert to this claim ancient Jain style of architecture thrived in this time.
Dilwara Jain architectural marvel- Undoubtedly the Dilwara Jain temples are an architectural marvel. These temples built in the high time of the Jain era can be best described as discovery of life in marble. So much so that many experts and researchers acclaim this monument to match the architectural lexicon of the Taj. A fitting example of ancient Jain architecture on the inside and contemporary style on the outside its carvings are the source and pinnacle of this monument. Pillars, ceilings, walls and floors everything is decorated ornately. Architectural magnificence in this aspect goes to the highest level and also beyond it. There is no a single space that is blank or bland everything is carved with carvings. Carvings might be the wrong word to use considering that some of the ornate decorations are finer than carving tools. This points out to the fact that chiseling was employed for a considerable part of construction. Chiseling compared to carving is an arduous process that requires patience and immense skill. While carving aims at creating, chiseling aims at shapping till the marble itself yields a suitable image. The eye for detail and the understanding of delicacy combine together in making decorations a true marvel. Experts single out the Vimala Vasahi and the Luna Vasahi as finest architectural excellence of this monument.
The Dilwara Jain Temples
Vimala Vasahi- Vimala Vasahi is an architectural wonder as far architecture is considered. Built in 1021 AD this temple is 98 feet long and 48 feet wide and is surrounded with high walls and 52 cells (Devakulas) that is surrounded by carved porticos. The main sanctum of the temple is adorned with a majestic image of Adinath cast in gold brass and alloy. The temple has a central dome with 11 conclave ring patterns and eight well decorated intricate columns. The richly and densely decorated pillars ceilings, walls and floors are all a stunning example of highest level of craftsmanship. The Navchoki is a distinctive feature of the sanctum. A collection of nine well decorated ceilings these are richly decorated with small flower petals geometrical designs and shapes. However point to be noted is that none of these were carved also these were shapped without intended to carve any of these shapes.
Luna Vasahi- the Luna Vasahi temple is dedicated to the Lord Neminath and was built by two brothers Tejpal and Vatsapal in 1230. Both these individuals were royal ministers of the court. Another marvel of marble, around 2,500 skilled craftsman and were employed in constructionof that continued for a period of 15 long years. Delicacy and perfection are two features that aptly describe this monument. So much so of the marble of the inner chamber are clear cut transparent. An astonishing feature of the temple is the clear cut multilayered lotus. Gazing at the lotus it is virtually hard believe that this filigree was a made out of marble. Another distinctive feature is that the both the temple are in perfect state of preservation and have not undergone any major changes or renovations.
Pittalhar Temple- The Pittalhar temple was built by Bhimshah. The main feature of this temple is the gigantic statue of Tirthankara Rishab Dev. Though brass is the main constituent of this statue four other metals were used for the construction of this statue. Brass is pital and hence the temple is called Pittalhar.
Parshvanatha Temple- This temple built by the Mandik Family is dedicated to Parshvanatha. This three storied temple is tallest shrine in this complex. All four sides of the sanctum have a mandapa or hall. The outer walls of the sanctum comprise of various statues and carvings of Dikpals (protectors of direction), Vidhyadevis (Goddess of Knowledge), Yakshinis (mythical beings), and Shalabhanjikas (style figures of women near branches of trees). These figures are similar and can be compared to those of Khajuraho and Konark.
Mahavir Swami Temple- This is a small structure constructed in 1582 and dedicated to the Lord Mahavira. The distinctive feature of this room is the various pictures on the upper walls of the porch that have been painted by artist from Sirohi.
