A
few words about the religion: Despite
comprising less than one percent of the population, Jainism is one of the
oldest religions in India. It emerged in its current version from the teachings
of 24 Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers), of whom Rishabhanatha (also known as
Adinatha) was the first and Mahavira
(also known as Vardhamana) was the last and most prominent. The fundamental
principles of the followers are straightforward: forgiveness, non-violence, and
a lack of greed.
India
is home to many Jain temples too, from a 1,000 pillar with no two pillars
matching to a temple atop a hill, these temples that provide insight not
only into the religion and beliefs that people of this faith follow but also
into their different architectural marvels. Here are some of the most
awe-inspiring:
1. Ranakpur
Temple, Rajasthan :
This Jain temple at Ranakpur, Rajasthan, dating back to the 15th century and considered as one of the most important and largest temples of Jain culture, is dedicated to first Tirthankara Rishabhanatha and is well known as the Ranakpur Jain Temple or also called the Chaturmukha Dharanavihara, as the temple has four faces.
The temple is a three-story structure made of marble is decorated with sculptures, floral patterns, and Jain scriptures. The main attraction of the temple is it's 1444 ornately carved pillars. Not one pillar resembles the other and the unique thing about the temple is its colour-changing columns. They go from golden to pale blue after every hour that passes, as the day advances. One can only marvel at the exquisite architecture of the temple as well as the various carvings in the complex.
2. Dilwara
Temples, Moun Abu, Rajasthan:
It is in pure white marble that adds greatly to its effect and has large amounts of intricate carvings. The ornamental detail spreading over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars, and panels is considered to be remarkable. The ceilings feature engraved designs of lotus buds, petals, flowers, and scenes from Jain mythology. With its simplicity and austerity, Dilwara Temple tells you about Jain values and principles.
3. Gomateshwar
Temple, or the Bahubali Temple, Karnataka
Source : Twitter
The Gomateshwara statue or Lord Bahubali statue, at 57 feet high , is the world’s highest monolithic statue, dedicated to the Jain God Bahubali. Located in Vindhyagiri hills at Sravanabelagola in Karnataka, the Gommatesvara statue was built in the 10th century by Chamundaraya, the general of the King Rajamalla of the Ganga dynasty.
One of the most famous festivals celebrated here, once in every 12 years, is the Mahamastakabhishek, which attracts devotees and the faithful from all over the world. At this time, the statue is bathed with milk, saffron, ghee, sugarcane juice, etc. from the top of the statue. The grandeur of this statue is worth witnessing.
4. Palitana
Jain Temples, Gujarat
Dolis (chairs) carried by
porters are also available for those who can’t walk to the top. Take note: No
one is allowed to stay overnight as it is a sacred site and it remains closed
during the monsoon season.
One of the most popular Jain
pilgrimage sites, the Palitana temples seem to be floating pieces of ivory when
sunlight falls on them.
5. Hanumantal
Jain Mandir, Madhya Pradesh
On the shores of Lake Hanuman Tal, is this Jain Temple complex in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. This fortress like complex which houses 22 shrines, is the most significant independent Jain temple in India.
The real treasure lies in the shrines, each with ornately crafted images of various Jain deities and housing images and idols of the Tirthankaras throughout the ages, from the British period through the Mughal and Maratha periods. This temple is also the only one that houses an image of the Jain Goddess Padmavati, particularly noteworthy for its glasswork.
The annual Jain procession on the day of Lord Mahavira's birthday starts here.
6. Hutheesing
Jain Temple, Gujarat
Hutheesing Jain Temple established in 1848, is one of the most revered Jain temples in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The two-story white marble structure dedicated to Dharmantha ( the 15th Jain saint) is home to 11 deity sculptures.
The
construction of the temple was initiated originally by Seth Hathisinh Kesarsinh, a wealthy
Ahmedabad trader who died at 49. The construction was supervised and completed
by his wife Shethani Harkunvar.
The main
shrine lies on the east and temple is covered with a big dome supported by
twelve ornate finely carved pillars. In addition there are 52 shrines (devakulikas),
each adorned with an image of a Tirthankara. Also noteworthy is a
six-story tall tower called Manasthambha (that enshrines an idol of Mahavira)
or the “Column of Honor”.
7. Girnar
Jain Temple, Gujarat
The group
temples of Jainism are situated on the Mount Girnar situated near Junagadh in Junagadh District, Gujarat. These temples are
sacred to the Digambara and the Svetambara branches
of Jainism.
The temple lies
on the holy hill of Girnar, at an elevation of 3,507 feet. It takes around
10000 steps to reach the top of the temple complex. It is decorated in
marble, features carved ceilings and granite pillars, and houses a black idol
of the temple’s namesake sitting in a lotus pose with a conch in hand. The
grandest and oldest temple is dedicated to Jain’s 22nd Tirthankara,
Neminath, who is believed to have renounced all worldly pleasures and came to
Mount Girnar to attain salvation. He attained Moksha (died) on the Mount Girnar
8. Parshvanatha
Jain Temple, Khajuraho,Madhya Pradesh:
Parshvanatha
Temple, a part of the expansive
Khajuraho group of mountains, is located in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya
Pradesh.
Not a square
inch of the temple, from the facade to the sanctum sanctorum, has been left
uncarved. This temple is mainly popular for its idols. All the idols depict the
beauty of feminism. Inside the temple, there are many idols of female Goddesses
playing musical instruments like manjeera, shankha, etc. The temple also
comprises of idols of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
The inner
sanctum of the temple contains an idol of Parshvanatha (the 23rd Jain Tirthankara)
and at the back of the temple is the idol of Adinatha.
The Jain temples of Khajuraho are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho.
9. Sonagir
Temple, Madhya Pradesh
It is a popular place of penance and it is believed that about five and a half crores of saints have attained Nirvana here. It is said that the hill on which these temples are erected was once made of gold. Nestled on a hill, it houses an 11-foot tall rock-cut statue of Tirthankara Chandraprabha in a meditating pose.
10. Kundalpur
Jain Temples, Madhya Pradesh.
Kundalpur is a town, a historical pilgrimage site for Jains in India, located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, 35 km from the city of Damoh. The place is adorned with as many as 63 temples dedicated to different Jain deities. Of these, 40 temples are situated on a hill and the other 23 lie in the valley. Shining like white pearls, the spires of these temples offer us an enchanting sight.
The temples are square blocks with dome roofs and pinnacles dating back to the 8th-9th century. Among all the temples the most famous is the Bade Baba temple with Bhagwan Adinath (affectionately termed "Bade Baba") as the principal deity.
Kundalpur has a large 15 feet statue of Rishabhanatha (also known as Bade Baba) sitting in (Padmasana) posture. There is also an idol of Mahavira of 12 feet in padmasana posture with the 4 feet pedestal.
Kundalpur is believed to be Lord Mahavira's birthplace.
11. Peacock
Jain Temple :
Mandaragiri Hills, mainly known
as BASADI BETTA are located just 60 km from Bengaluru. A
Jain Temple or Basadi is located atop the hill and that’s how the name Basadi
Betta ‘hill’ came to be. To reach the top, you have to climb 430 steps from the
entrance at the base of the hill, and takes 15 to 20 minutes.
The
highlight of the place is the famous architectural beauty- the pinchi-shaped
81 feet tall Guru Mandir. A pinchi is a peacock feather fan
with bright blue-green shades which can take away all your blues. Another
attraction here is the tall Chandranatha Thirthankara statue. Basadi Betta is one of the most important and a significant
pilgrimage centers for Jains in the southern state of Karnataka.
Friends, if you are an ardent
art lover, I would suggest that once in a lifetime you should visit these pieces
of architectural marvels on earth, rich in wonderful carvings, and which are
not very well known but give a tough competition to the Taj Mahal, Agra in
beauty.
Inputs and pics courtesy Google, Wikipedia, Twitter, tour my india
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