JAINIS
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• Jainism was first developed in northeastern India and was created in opposition to the
Vedic Religion, they rejected the animal sacrifice.
• Jains believe that there are 24 great people that have reached perfection in the present cycle
of the universe. They call these saints “tirthankaras” which means “crossing makers” or “ford
finders.”
• The 24th tirthankara is considered to be the greatest of them all. He is known as Mahavira,
which means “great man” or “hero.” Mahavira’s legend strongly resembles that of Buddha. He
experienced great liberation after 12 years of meditation, wandering, and extreme mortification.
He felt completely free of all bondage to the ordinary world and fully in control of himself.
Because of this, Mahavira is called a jina, which means “conqueror.” It is from this word, jina,
that Jainism takes its name.
• Similar to Hinduism, Jains share a belief in karma and reincarnation. However, they see karma
as having a physical quality and believe that one’s level of rebirth is dependent upon one’s state
of karma at the time of their death. Rejecting belief in a Creator, they see the universe as
natural forces in motion. They believe that every person has spiritual potential and that they
should purify the self, act morally, and do good to others. Similar to Buddhism, they believe
that everything is full of life and capable of suffering.
A large number of columns are carved elaborately, and it is said that no
two pillars are alike in design.
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.
• 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 four 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 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.
