JAIN ARCHITECTURE
INTRODUCTION
A Jain temple is the place of worship for Jains, the
followers of Jainism.
Derasar is a word used for a Jain temple in Gujarat and
Rajasthan.
Basadi is a Jain shrine or [Link] word is generally used
in South India, as well as in Maharashtra.
Its historical use in North India is preserved in the names
of the Vimala Vasahi and Luna Vasahi temples of Mount
Abu.
The Sanskrit word is vasati, it implies an institution
including residences of scholars attached to the shrine.
INTRODUCTION
Jain architecture in India is found in Jain temples of states
like Karnataka, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Mount Abu is considered as the finest
specimens of Jain architecture. Jain architecture has an origin in its own style which is
considered as more Turanian. The main feature of Jain buildings is the horizontal
archway. The bracket form of capital was also introduced in Jaina buildings for the first
time in Indian architecture.
The Aiwalli temple in Dharwar, in
Western India has the ground plan of the
Jain temples. This is identical with the
ground-plan of the structural chaitya at
Sanchi Stupa. Jain temple covers an
image to which the worshippers must
have access. There is a thickening of the
apsis wall in order to carry the tower that
marks the position of the image
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
The major difference is the construction of ‘temple-cities’ by the Jains as opposed to
solitary Hindu temples which are the norm rather than the exception.
A Jain place of worship is also noted for its rich materials (often marble), as well as the
profusion of ornamentation which decorates the structure.
Structurally speaking, a Jain temple is constructed on a square plan with openings in four
cardinal directions, each of which could lead to the image of a Tirthanakara
It is not uncommon to find four of these images placed back to back, one for each
cardinal direction. (Chamukhs )
The interior of the temple has a singularly large number of columns, from which a false
arch/bracket springs about two thirds of the way up. These columns, standing around
for no apparent purpose, might make the place seem like a mindless labyrinth, but on
closer scrutiny it becomes evident that there is a style and method , these are temples
within a temple, divided into sanctums and surrounded by a range of chapels and
shrines, and the maze of columns act as a defense against plunderers.
These pillars are richly carved, as is the roof towards which they spring
Domes or shikharas are usually more acute than the ones found in Hindu temples,
which gives to Jain temple cities a very distinct skyline of multiple dome points
reaching toward the sky.
TYPICAL PLAN OF JAIN TEMPLE-
Each Ranga-mandapa is
connected with a three
The central main shrine is storyed "Meghanada-
called "Mula-Prasada", the mandapa" ( B, high hall) in
interior of which is front.
"Garbagriha" (sanctum), and C C
its main statue is
"Mulanayaka".
C C four "Ranga-mandapas"
Having four "Mahadara- ( A, assembly hall) in
prasada" (two-faced- `
front of four portals of
shrine) diagonally in the main shrine
four directions of the
main shrine,the temple
type is "Panchayatana"
(five-shrined-type).(C)
NORTH INDIA
The sikra or tower or the vimana is a common to both Jaina and Hindu architecture in
Northern India. The image in a Jain temple is always placed in a square cell and receives its
light only from the doorway. It seems to be a rule that the presence and position of the main
idol should be indicated externally by a tower and should have a curved outline. The upper
part of sikra overhangs the base and bends inwards toward the top is surmounted by a
melon-shaped thing called the amalika.
The northern Jaina style is seen at Palatina and Girnar, in Gujarat and at Mount Abu and
at Parswanath in the highest point of Bengal range of hills to the south of Rajmahal.
SOUTH INDIA
Jain Architecture in South India in Southern India is divided into bettus and bastis. The bettus
contain images of Gomata Raja. Bastis are ordinary Jaina temples dedicated to the Tirthankars
and those at Shravanabelagola are best specimens of Jaina architecture in India. They are of
the Dravidian style and the towers are surmounted with a small dome. Jaina temple is always
twelve pillared here.
The colossal rock cut statue of
saint Gommata at
Shravanabelagola is the most
magnificent among all Jaina works
of art. It was built in circa 982 AD
and is described as one of the
mightiest achievements of ancient
Karnataka in the realm of sculptural
art. Also referred to as
Lord Bahubali, the image is nude an
stands upright in the posture of
meditation known as kayotsarga,
reaching a height of 17.38 meter
(58 ft) atop the Vindyagiri of
Doddabetta hills accessible through
a flight of 500 steps.
ASSIGNMENTS
KHANDAGIRI and UDAYAGIRI HILLS (O) CAVE TEMPLES , 1st century BC
KHAJURAHO (MP) JAINA TEMPLES , 10th - 11th century
Mt. ABU (R) DELWARA TEMPLES , since 11th century
SHRAVANABELGOLA (K) JAINA BASTIS, 10th- 12th century
Mt. GIRNAR (G) JAINA TEMPLE CITY , since 12th century (
RANAKPUR (R) ADINATHA TEMPLE , 15th century
BIKANER (R) PARSHVANATHA TEMPLE , 16th century
PATAN (G) PARSHVANATHA TEMPLE , 18th century
PALITHANA
