Dilwara Jain Temples is one of the finest Jain temple known world over for its extraordinary architecture and marvelous marble stone carvings, some experts also consider it architecturally superior to the Taj Mahal.
These temples were built between 11th to 13th century AD, The beautiful lush green hills surrounding the temple gives a very pleasant feeling. The ornamental details of marble stone carvings is phenomenal and unmatched, The minutely carved ceilings and the pillars are just amazing. 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. Dilwara temples is also a popular Jain pilgrimage attraction.
Five Unique Temples of Dilwara
There are 5 temples in all, each with its own unique identity though together they are named after the small village in which they are located. These are:
- Vimal Vasahi (Shri Adi Nathji temple)
- Luna Vasahi (Shri Nemi Nathji temple)
- Pithalhar (Shri Rishabh Deoji temple)
- Khartar Vasahi (Shri Parshav Nathji temple)
- Mahaveer Swami (Shri Mahaveer Swamiji temple)
The Vimala Vashi temple
The Vimal Vashi temple is the earliest and more important of the temples here. It was built in 1021 AD and is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Adinath.The main shrine and the front of the cells are surrounded by elaborate columns.
The Luna Vashi or the Teja PalaTemple
The Luna Vashi temple is dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara Shri Nemi Nathji. It resembles the architectural plan of the Vimal Vashi temple although it was built 200 years after that temple. The two brothers, Vastu Pala and Tej Pala, both ministers of a local ruler, built this magnificent temple in 1230 AD. The temple is the among the last few monuments built in the Solanki style, which came to an end towards the end of the 13th century AD with the Muslim occupation of Gujarat.
Pittalhar Temple
This temple was build by Bhima Shah, a minister of Sultan Begada of Ahmedabd. A massive metal statue of Rishab Dev (Adinath), cast in five metals is installed in the temple. The main metal used in this statue is 'Pital' (brass), hence the name 'Pittalhar'. The Shrine consists of a main Garbhagraha, Gudh mandap and Navchowki.
Parshavanath Temple
This temple, dedicated to Lord Parshavnath was built by Mandlik and his family in 1458-59 A.D. 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 of beautiful sculptures in gray sandstone, depicting Dikpals, Vidhyadevis, Yakshinis, Shalabhanjikas and other decorative sculptures comparable to the ones in Khajuraho and Konark.
Mahaveer Swami Temple
This is a small structure constructed in 1582 A.D. and dedicated to the 24th Jain Tirthankara, Lord Mahaveer. There are pictures on the upper walls of the porch painted in 1764 A.D. by the artists of Sirohi.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is Udaipur, which is connected to several cities by regular flights.
BY RAIL - Abu Road is the closest railhead for Mt Abu. Direct trains run from Abu Road to Ajmer, Jodhpur and Agra. The railhead is on the meter-gauge line between Delhi and Ahmedabad. Some important train connections are :
- Gujarat Mail (Mumbai-Abu Road-Delhi-Sarai Rohilla)
- Aravali Express (Ahmedabad-Abu Road-Marwar)
- Ahmedabad Mail (Delhi-Sarai Rohilla-Abu Road)
- Surya Nagri Express (Jodhpur-Abu Road- Ahmedabad)
- Ranakpur Express (Ahmedabad-Abu Road-Jodhpur)
BY ROAD - Mt. Abu is 185 km from Udaipur. It takes seven hours to reach Udaipur by buses
No comments:
Post a Comment