The Dilwara Temples

FACTS & FIGURES

INTRODUCTION

The exquisitely carved marble temples of Dilawara in Mount Abu are the finest examples of Jain temples in India. The hallmark of these temples is the crisp translucent shell-like treatment of marble, which surpasses anything seen elsewhere. No matter how much one hears or reads about these temples, nothing can prepare one for the sheer elegance and beauty of marble as displayed here.

STYLE- NORTH INDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

The basic structure of most temples in India is a room called the Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum) where the idol of the main deity is kept. The temple is approached by a flight of steps and is often built on a platform. A porch covers the entrance to the temple, which is supported by carved pillars. A prominent roof called the shikhara surmounts the top of the Garbha Griha, and dominates the surroundings.

Temple architecture in India is broadly divided into the northern and southern styles and classified according to the form and shape of the shikhara and the distinctiveness of its decoration. The shikharas of the temples in south India tend to be made up of distinct horizontal levels that diminish to form a rough pyramid. Each level is decorated with miniature temple rooftops. The shikharas of the temples in north and central India, in contrast, resemble an upturned cone that is decorated with miniature conical shikharas.

The temples of Rajasthan, including the Jain temples of Dilwara, were constructed on the northern pattern and the Vastushastra (ancient principles of building) served as a practical handbook for the architecture of these temples.

DILWARA TEMPLES

Mount Abu, where the Dilwara temples are located, is referred to as Arbudgiri in ancient Hindu and Jain scriptures and is the only hill-station in Rajasthan as well as a very important Jain pilgrimage center.

The period from AD 800 to 1200 was one of great social awakening and religious fervor among the people of this region. Jainism (an ancient Indian religion that originated in 600 BC) found its firm foundation in Rajasthan. With matrimonial alliances between Mughal and Rajput rulers and a liberal policy towards Hindus adopted by the great Mughal Akbar, this was a period of tranquility in most parts of Rajasthan. Old Hindu shrines were renovated and new ones including the temples of Ranakpur and Dilwara, were built during this period.

As most of the followers of Jain faith belonged to the prosperous merchant class, they expressed their devotion by donating large sums of money for the construction of intricately carved temples made of marble. These temples were dedicated to their saints known as the tirthankars and also served as storehouses of illustrated manuscripts and treatises.

The Jains built some beautiful temples at other places in Rajasthan too but the best are undoubtedly those at Dilwara – no other temple can come close to these in terms of architectural perfection. The ornamental detail spread over the minutely carved decoration of ceilings, doorways, pillars, panels and niches is simply marvelous while the translucent shell-like treatment of marble surpasses anything seen elsewhere.

There are altogether four important temples in Dilwara: the Vimal Vashi temple, the Luna Vashi temple, the Adinath temple and the Parshvanath temple. Among all these the Vimal Vashi and the Luna Vashi are the most notable.

Vimal Shah, the minister of Raja Bhimdeo (a local Rajput ruler), built the Vimal Vashi temple in AD 1021. The temple is 98 feet long and 42 feet wide and is surrounded by a high wall with 52 cells, or devkulikas, each of which is surrounded by an arcade of carved pillars. In the main shrine is a majestic image of Adinath cast in gold-brass alloy. The temple consists of an open portico and a vestibule formed by a single grouping of pillars. The octagonal dome of the shrine is formed by eleven concentric rings containing patterns of endless variety and is upheld by eight carved columns. The richly carved corridors, pillars, arches, and mandaps or porticoes are bewildering. On the ceiling are engraved rich and elaborate designs of lotus-buds, petals, flowers, geometrical designs and scenes illustrating incidents from the Jain and Hindu mythologies. Though initially attention may be directed to the carvings, it is the control of space, level and light that make this an even more interesting structure. Of interest here are the corridors, the courtyard, the Rangmandap, the Nowchoki, the Gudhamandap and the Hasti-Shala or Hall of Elephants.

The other important temple here is the Luna Vashi temple dedicated to the twenty-second tirthankar Shri Neminathji. This magnificent temple was built in AD 1230 by two brothers-Vastupal and and Tejpal, both ministers of Viradhawala (a local ruler). The design and pattern of this temple was adopted from the Vimal Vashi temple, which was built earlier. Here too, the walls, doors, pillars, mandaps, and ceilings are adorned with ornamental relief carvings of a variety of subjects, from flowers and animals to royal processions and battle scenes. The dome of the Rangamandap is outstanding – it is divided into concentric compartments by richly sculptured cordons, each intervening space being filled with elaborate and elegant designs. The Hasthi-Shala or Elephant Halls here are ten in number and each contains a white marble elephant, beautifully and proportionately carved and polished to a shine. Marble has been chiseled and shaped to such beauty and perfection that it does not surprise one to know that the workmen who gave shape to these extraordinary monuments were rewarded in the silver and gold equivalent of the amount of marble brought in.

THE LEGEND OF MOUNT ABU

Legend has it that Hindus revere this place because once Nandini, the cow of the venerable sage Vashishth, was trapped in a deep gorge and could not free herself. The sage appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance. The Lord sent Saraswati, the divine stream, to help flood the gorge so that the cow could float up. The sage Vashishth then decided to ensure that such mishaps would not occur in future and asked the youngest son of Himalaya to fill the chasm permanently. This he did with the assistance of Arbud, the mighty snake. This spot came to be known as Mount Arbud and was later changed to its present form – Mount Abu. This region is revered by Jains as well since Jain scriptures record that Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, also visited Mount Abu and blessed this place.

HOW TO REACH

The nearest airport to Mount Abu is Udaipur (185 km) from where one can hire a taxi or take a bus. The nearest railway station is Abu Road 29 km away. Abu Road is connected to both Ahmedabad and Jodhpur. Ahmedabad is 222 km via Palanpur. Jodhpur is 264 km via Pali and Sirhoi, taxis are easily available from these places for going to Abu. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Council also conducts tours to the interesting spots in Mount Abu.