Location of Dilwara Temples, History of Dilwara Temples, Architecture of Dilwara Temples, Visiting hours in Dilwara Temples.
Location of Dilwara Temples:
These ancient and World famous Temples are situated at a distance of 30 Km from Aburoad Railway Station and 2.5 Km from Mount Abu City in District Sirohi, Rajasthan.
History & Architecture of Dilwara Temples:
These are dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras – Lord Rishabhdev (also known as Lord Adinath, the 1st Tirthankar), Lord Nemi Nath (the 22nd Tirthankar), Lord Parshavnath (the 23rd Tirthankar) and Lord Mahavir (the 24th Tirthankar).
These are a group of five Temples dating back to 11th and 12th Centuries. These are built of white marble and other building materials and display marvelous architecture of the highest order. The Temples are decorated with majestic carvings of an excellent and unbelievable quality in stone. Various Jain Miths, Tirthankaras, Hindu Gods and Goddesses have been depicted in the Temples. The pillars also bear beautiful artistic stone carving works and each pillar has its own design.
The Complex has 57 idols of various Jain Tirthankaras and separate Shrines are made for them. The idols of Lord Rishabhdev, Lord Nemi Nath, Lord Parshavnath and Lord Mahavir find special mention. The main idol is of Lord Rishabhdev and it is huge in size. The elephants were used to transport stone for the construction of the Temple and so an enclosure for the elephants was built in front of the Temple of Lord Rishabhdev.
The five Jain Temples are :
Vimal Vasahi or Shri Adinath Ji Temple – This Temple was built by Vimal Shah, the minister and commander-in-chief of Raja Bhimadev I, the Solanki ruler of Gujarat. It was repaired and renovated in 1147-49 A.D. by Prithvipal, a descendant of Vimal Shah. It is dedicated to Lord Adinath Ji, the 1st Tirthankar of Jains.
This marvelous piece of architecture was built in a period of 14 years and 1500 artisans and 1200 labourers were involved in its construction. It is spread over an area of 140 ft. x 90 ft. The elegance of the sculptured marble and splendid carvings of the ceilings, domes, pillars and arches of the Temple are beyond expectations.
The grand hall also known as Rang Mandap has 12 ornamented pillars and finely carved arches with an exquisitely designed central dome. The pillars have figures of females playing musical instruments and of 16 Vindhya Devis – the Goddesses of knowledge. The Navchowki has nine rectangular ceilings with each one having beautiful carvings of different designs supported by ornate pillars. The Gudha Mandap has the idol of Lord Adinath also known as Lord Rishabhdev. Its doorway is profusely decorated. The corridor of the Temple has 57 cells with each cell having an image of one or the other Tirthankar. The number of the cell and the name of the Tirthankar are also written. The Hathishala or elephant cell was built by Prithvipal in front of the Temple to commemorate the glory of his family.
Luna Vasahi or Shri Nemi Nath Ji Temple – This Temple was built by two brothers named Vastupal and Tejpal, the ministers of Raja Bhimdev II, the Solanki ruler of Gujarat in the memory of their late brother Luna. It is dedicated to Lord Nami Nath Ji, the 22nd Tirthankar of Jains.
Its architecture was designed by Shobhandev and is similar to the architecture of Vimal Vasahi. The main hall also known as Rang Mandap has a splendidly carved big ornamental pendant hanging in the centre of the dome. 72 figures of Jain Tirthankaras in sitting posture in a circular band and below this band 360 small figures of Jain monks in another circular band are depicted. The Navchowki displays the most beautiful marble stone cutting work.
It has nine ceilings and each ceiling leaves the other behind in terms of beauty. The Gudha Mandap has a black marble idol of Lord Nemi Nath Ji. The corridor of the Temple has 52 cells with each cell having an image of one or the other Tirthankar or Devi. On the left side of the Temple stands a big black stone pillar known as Kirti Stambha. It was constructed by Maharana Kumbha of Mewar. The Hathishala or elephant Cell has 10 finely polished beautiful marble elephants displaying fine workmanship.
Pittalhar Temple or Shri Rishabh Dev Ji Temple – This temple was built by Bhima Shah, a Minister of Sultan Begada of Ahmedabd (in Gujarat State) and is dedicated to Lord Rishabhdev Ji, the 1st Tirthankar of Jains.
The Temple has a huge and richly carved statue of Lord Rishabhdev, made of five metals especially Pittal (brass), hence the name Pittalhar temple. The Shrine comprises of main Garbhagraha, Gudh Mandap and Navchowki. In Gudh Mandap, a big marble stone Panch-Tirthi sculpture of Lord Rishabhdev Ji is installed on one side. The niches of the Temple were constructed in 1474 A.D., while some cells were built in 1490 A.D.
Khartar Vasahi or Shri Parshavnath Ji Temple – This three-storeyed Temple was built by Mandlik and his family in 1458-1459 A.D. and is dedicated to Lord Parshavnath Ji, the 23rd Tirthankar of Jains.
This Temple with its pinnacle is the tallest Temple at Delwara. The images of Lord Parshavnath are installed in all the four sides. There are four big Mandaps on all the four faces of the Sanctum on the ground floor. The outer walls of the Sanctum have beautiful sculptures in grey sandstone, depicting Dikpals, double set of Vidhya Devis – one of standing figures and other sitting ones and a set of all the 24 Yakshinis, Shalabhanjikas and other decorative sculptures especially females comparable to the ones at Khujrao and Konark.
Shri Mahavir Swami Ji Temple – This is a small and simple structure constructed in 1582 A.D. and is dedicated to Lord Mahavir Ji, the 24th Tirthankar of Jains. The Temple has nine other images and has pictures on the upper walls of the porch painted by the artists of Sirohi in 1764 A.D.
Visiting Hours in Dilwara Temples:
The Temples remains open on all days from 6.30 A.M. to 8.00 P.M.
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