Jain architecture

Prof . AbhijeetB Shinde
Pravara Rural College of Architecture,
Loni

Jain Architecture
Prof.AbhijeetB. Shinde,PRCA, Loni1
Introduction
• The founder of Jainism is Vardamana
or Mahavira (Great Hero). But it is said
that he is the last Tirthankara or
Jina.(Victor) and the first one is
Adinatha.
• All of Jain temples are dedicated to
one of the 24 Tirthankaras.
• In Jain style of architecture, bricks
were hardly used, and the system of
carving out temples from rock faces
was adopted.
• Jain architecture has influence of
Hindu and Buddhist styles.

Jain Architecture
Introduction
• In the initial years, many Jain temples were made adjoining the Buddhist
temples following the Buddhist rock-cut style.
• However, in later years Jains started building temple-cities on hills based
on the concept of 'mountains of immortality.

Jain Architecture
Introduction
• In later years when Jains discovered the concept of mountains of
immortality , they proceeded to deviate from Hindu and Buddhist sites
and build on their own.
• An important aspect to be noted is that Hindus and Buddhists built
temples, Jains built temple-cities on hills.
• to put it in their own words, they "ornamented these holy hills with a
crown of eternal Arhat chaityas (tabernacles of saints) shining with the
splendor of jewels.“

• The Adinatha Temple of
Ranakpur is also named
Dharma Vihara temple after
its builder.
• The temple is very large. It
stands on a basement of 60m
x 62m which is like a
stronghold.
• On the top of a flight of stairs
at the central entrance, there
is a three-storied "Balanaka"
(entrance hall), which has a
dome roof.
Adinatha Temple , Ranakpur
Jain Architecture
three storied Balanaka
(entrance hall) of the west
facade

• A large number of columns are
carved elaborately, and it is said
that no two pillars are alike in
design.
Jain Architecture
• At a space that penetrates through
two to three stories, various
heights of domes are placed, and
their ceilings have sculptures that
are unbelievably intricate.

• Light is abundantly coming inside
through gaps between ceilings
and from courtyards, highlighting
the intertwined spaces and fine
carvings all around.
• The splendor of the space is so
pure as the entire temple from
the floors to the ceilings is made
of white marble. It also might be
described as the realization of the
Pure Land.
Jain Architecture

Jain Architecture
PLAN 1. ADINATHA TEMPLE, RANAKPUR, 15th century. from
"The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India" vol. 1, Buddhist,
Jain, Hindu, by George Michell, 1989.
Mula-prasada
Garbagriha
A. Rang Mandapa
B. Meghnad Mandapa
Mahadara-prasada
Bhadra prasada
Dev kulika
Bhamati (Cloister)
Adinatha Temple ,
Ranakpur

• Central Main Shrine is called "Mula-prasada,"
• its interior is "Garbagriha" (sanctum), its main statue is "Mulanayaka."
• In the type of Chaturumukha (four-faced) shrine unlike the case of Mt. Abu,
there are not "Gudha-mandapa" (closed hall) and "Trikamandapa“
(vestibule),But four "Ranga-mandapas"(A, assembly hall) in front of four
portals of the main shrine.
• Each Ranga-mandapa connects with three storyed "Meghanada-mandapa" (
B, high hall) in front. Having four "Mahadara-prasada" (two-faced-shrine)
diagonally in four directions of the main shrine, the temple type is
"Panchayatana" (five-shrined-type).
• In addition to this, there are two "Bhadra-prasada" east and west sides,
making the total composition much more intricate.
• A line of "Deva-kulika" (small shrine) along "Bhamati" (cloister) surround the
whole complex. All these shrines hold a statue of Tirthankara or Jina (four in
Chaturmukha, two in Mahadara-prasada), there are more than 100 statues
in total.
Jain Architecture

Jain Architecture
four faced Shikhara beyond a courtyard
Samvarana Roof on the western mandapa

Jain Architecture
Pillars of western Meghanada-mandapa adinath temple

Jain Architecture
Meghanada-mandapa

Jain Architecture
Meghanada - mandapa

western Ranga-
mandapa adinath
Jain Architecture
Depaka, the architect of the
Adinatha Temple,
Tirthankara’s Facing four directions

pillar and a dome of a Meghanada-mandapa
Jain Architecture
Intricate carving at Dome Ceiling

• The Dilwara temples of India are located about 2½km from Mount Abu,
Rajasthan's only hill station.
• These Jain temples were built by Vastupal Tejpal, a Jain laymen between
the 11th and 13th centuries AD and are world famous for their stunning
use of marble.
• The five legendary marble temples of Dilwara are a sacred pilgrimage
place of the Jains.
• Although each temple has symmetrical plan, there is no axis that runs
through this group of temples as a whole.
• The mandapas of the mini-shrines were joined to form a cloister.
• Into the residual space between the quadrangle and the temple, the
architects inserted a pavilion held up by highly ornate columns of lavish
sculptural detail.
• The temples, of local white arasa marble, are carved as if made of wood.
Jain Architecture
DILWARA TEMPLE COMPLEX

• Some consider them to be one of the most beautiful Jain pilgrimage sites
in the world.
• The marble temples have an opulent entranceway, the simplicity in
architecture reflecting Jain values like honesty and frugality.
• The temples are in the midst of a ran
ge of forested hills. A high wall
shrouds the temple complex.
• Although the Jains built some beautif
ul temples at other places in
Rajasthan, some believe that none
come close to these in terms of
architectural perfection.
• The ornamental detail spreading
over the minutely carved ceilings,
doorways, pillars and panels is simply
marvelous.
Jain Architecture
DILWARA TEMPLE COMPLEX

Jain Architecture

• There are five temples in all, each with its own unique identity.
1. Vimal Vasahi,dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabha.
2. Luna Vasahi,dedicated to the 22nd Jain Tirthankara, Neminatha.
3. Pithalhar,dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar, Rishabha.
4. Parshvanath,dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, Parshvanatha.
5. Mahavir Swami,dedicated to the last Jain Tirthankara, Mahavira.
• The most famous are the Vimal Vasahi and Luna Vasahi temples.
• Each is named after the small village in which it is located.
Five Unique Temples of Dilwara
Jain Architecture
• Each temple sits high off the ground on its own terrace and is accessed
on its flank by steps spilling out from a multi tiered porch.
• The plans are modeled on Hindu precedents, with a main garbha-griha
preceded by a mandapa.
• The central deity of the site is Adinath, one of the Tirthankars; shrines to
all the Tirthankars were added to each temple later on.
• As a result, the individual temples came to be surrounded by a
quadrangle composed of rows of mini-shrines.

• This temple carved entirely out of
white marble was built in 1031 A.D. by
Vimal Shah, a minister of Bhimdev I,
the Chalukya King (Solanki Maharaja)
of Gujarat.
Jain Architecture
The Exterior of the Vimala Vasahi Temple is not so attractive.
1. Vimal Vasahi Temple
Ceiling detail at one of the bhamati (Cloister)

Jain Architecture
• The temple stands in a open courtyard
surrounded by a corridor, which has numerous
cells containing smaller idols of the tirthankaras.
• The richly carved corridors, pillars, arches, and
'mandaps‘ or porticoes of the temple are simply
amazing.

• The ceilings feature engraved designs of lotus buds, petals, flowers and
scenes from Jain mythology.
Jain Architecture

• The Rang mandap is a
grand hall supported by 12
decorated pillars and nicely
carved out arches with a
breathtaking central dome.
Jain Architecture
The Mandapa of the Vimala Vasahi (Adinatha Temple),since
1032,Mt. Abu.
• On the pillars are carved female figurines
playing musical instruments and 16
Vidhyadevis, or the goddesses of knowle
dge, each one holding her own symbol.

• The Nav chowki is a
collection of nine
rectangular ceilings, each
one containing beautiful
carvings of different
designs supported on
ornate pillars.
• The Gudh mandap is a
simple hall once you step
inside its heavily
decorated doorway.
Jain Architecture
• Installed here is the idol of Adi Nath or Lord Rishabdev, as he is also known.
• The mandap is meant for Aarti to the deity.
• The Hastishala (Elephant Cell) was constructed by Prithvipal, a descendant of
Vimal Shah in 1147-49 and features a row of elephants in sculpture.

2. Luna Vasahi Temple
• The Luna Vasahi temple is dedicated to
Lord Neminath.
• This magnificent temple was built in 1230
by two Porwad brothers -
Vastupal and Tejpal both ministers of a
Virdhaval, the Vaghela ruler of Gujarat.
Jain Architecture
• The temple built in memory of their late b
rother Luna was designed after the
Vimal Vasahi temple.

2. Luna Vasahi
• The main hall or Rang mandap features a central dome from which hangs
a big ornamental pendent featuring elaborate carving.
• Arranged in a circular band are 72 figures of Tirthankars in sitting posture
and just below this band are 360 small figures of Jain monks in another
circular band.
Jain Architecture
• The Hathishala or
elephant cell
features 10
beautiful marble
elephants neatly
polished and
realistically
modelled

• The Navchowki features some of the mo
st magnificent and delicate marble stone
cutting work of the temple.
• Each of the nine ceilings here seems to e
xceed the others in beauty and grace. Th
e Gudh mandap features a black marble
idol of the 22nd tirthankar Neminatha.
• The Kirthi Stambha is a big black stone
pillar that stands on the left side of the
temple.
• The pillar was constructed by Maharana
Kumbha of Mewar.
• The remaining three temples of Dilwara
are smaller but just as elegant as the
other two.
Jain Architecture
2. Luna Vasahi
One of the corner sculptures of a block of
ceiling in the Luna Vasahi (Neminatha Temple).

• This temple was built by Bhamashah kavdia of Rajasthan. A massive metal sta
tue of the first tirthankara, Rishabha 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 Garbhagriha, Gudh mandap and Navchowki. It
seems that the construction of Rangmandap and the corridor was left
unfinished as probably builder of the temple Bhamashah, who was minister
of Maharana Pratap decided to aide Pratap in those difficult times.
• The old mutilated idol was replaced and installed in 1468-69 AD
• weighing 108 maunds (about 40 quintals or four metric tons) according to th
e inscription on it. The image was cast by an artist 'Deta‘ which is 8 ft
(2.4 m). high, 5.5 ft (1.7 m). Broad and the figure is 41 inches (1,000 mm) in
height.
• In Gudh Mandap on one side, a big marble PanchTirthi sculpture of Adinath
is installed.
Jain Architecture
3. Pittalhar Temple

• This temple, dedicated to Lord Parshvanath, was built by Mandlik and his
family in 1458-59
• 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.
Jain Architecture
4. Parshvanatha Temple
• The outer walls of the
sanctum comprise
beautiful sculptures in
gray sandstone,
depicting Dikpals,
Vidhyadevis, Yakshinis,
Shalabhanjikas and
other decorative
sculptures comparable
to the ones in
Khajuraho and Konark.

• This is a small structure constructed in 1582 and dedicated to Lord
Mahavira.
• being small it is a marvelous temple with carvings on its walls.
• There are pictures on the upper wall of the porch painted in 1764
by the artists of sirohi
Jain Architecture
5. Mahaveer Swami Temple

• http://www.kamit.jp/03_jaina/1_abu/abu_eng.htm 2/
• http://www.kamit.jp/03_jaina/6_ranakpur/ran_eng.htm
• http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/11168123.jpg
• http://harryiyer001.blogspot.in/2007/12/mount-abu.html
• http://www.wikipedia.com
• http://images.google.com
• http://www.flickr.com
Jain Architecture
References :

Jain architecture

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