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The only hill station in Rajasthan which is
really beautiful and scenic and consists Arawali montain ranges.
 Dilwara
Jain Temples
Decide your favourite colour and pick a city to
match, Rajasthan's kaleidoscope of colours covers all.
Bastions of history, bristling with memories,
these splendid treasures stand battling the vageries of time.
Fort Amber
The City Palace, Jaipur
Wind Palace, Jaipur
Chittaurgarh Fort
City Palace, Udaipur
Jaisalmer Fort
Mehrangarh
Fort
Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
The desert sands shimmer and pulsate with an
energy and a spirit of festivity permeates the air, every season
provides many reasons to celebrate.
Camel Festival
Mewar Festival
Elephant Festival
Gangaur Festival
Pushkar Festival
Desert Festival
Ride a camel over the dunes or horses through
the hillside, speed ahead in a jeep and camp under open skies.
A delicate ecosystem, part desert part marshy
lands and even a small section of lush water filled valleys, sports a
wildlife rich in variety.
Whichever Budget Hotel you choose you will
always experience a traditional hospitality that you may never want to
forget.
Jaipur Budget Hotels
Jaisalmer Budget Hotels
Bharatpur Budget Hotels
Bikaner Budget Hotels
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Rajasthan Tours Travel » Sacred
Places & Shrines » Dilwara Jain
Temples
Dilwara Jain Temples
DILWARA TEMPLES - INTRODUCTION
The austerity of the Jain faith is belied by its opulent temples. And the
Dilwara temples located in Mount Abu are perhaps the most magnificent Jain
temples anywhere in the world. Situated in the picturesque Rajasthani hill
station, nestled in an ancient Mango grove these profusely carved temples
are a huge draw for devotees, historians and tourists alike. Built from
the 11th to the 13 th century AD, the five legendary temples of Dilwara
are famous for their exquisite architecture. The ornamental detail spread
over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels is simply
marvelous and the marble has been molded so that it appears as a
translucent shell like surface.
The story behind these exquisite temples is that the followers of the
Jain faith belonged to the prosperous merchant class and they expressed
their devotion by constructing these beautiful marble temples in
dedication to their saints known as tirthankars. These temples also served
as storehouses of illustrated manuscripts and treatises.
DILWARA TEMPLES - ARCHITECTURE
These ancient temples have been constructed according to the Vastu
Shastra (an ancient principle of building) and each has a room called the
garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) where the idol of the main deity is kept.
The temple is built on a platform and approached by a flight of steps. A
roof called the shikhara surmounts the top of the Garbha Griha and is a
prominent part of the structure.
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.
Vimal Vasahi Temple
Dedicated to the 1st Jain Tirthankara (teacher or guide) Adi Nath, this
temple was built in 1021 AD by Vimal Shah, a minister of Raja Bhimdeo. The
temple has been carved entirely out of white marble and stands in an open
courtyard surrounded by a corridor. The corridor is further embellished
with ornately carved pillars, arches, and 'mandaps' or porticoes. On the
ceiling a profusion of lotus-buds, petals, flowers and scenes from Jain
and Hindu mythology have been exquisitely engraved. A grand hall within
the temple called the rang mandap, is supported by 12 pillars, carved out
arches and a magnificent central dome. Female figurines playing musical
instruments have been carved to perfection and with so much attention to
detail that the 16 Vidhyadevis (the goddesses of knowledge) is each
holding her own symbol.
The Navchowki gets its name from its nine rectangular ceilings and the
gudh mandap is a simple hall once you step inside its heavily decorated
doorway. Installed here is the idol of Adi Nath or Lord Rishabdev, as he
is also known. The mandap is meant for 'Arti' (offering prayers) to the
deity. The Hastishala (Elephant Cell) features a row of meticulously
carved elephants.
Luna Vasahi (Shri Nemi Nathji temple)
The Luna Vashi temple is dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara Shri Nemi
Nathji. It was built by two brothers - Vastupal and Tejpal - in 1230 AD as
a memorial to the brother that they lost, Luna. Creatively designed and
adorned with the most gorgeous carvings and sculptures it truly is a
magnificent homage to the Jain teacher. 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
Tirthankaras in sitting posture and just below this band are 360 small
figures of Jain monks in another circular band. The Hathishala or elephant
cell features 10 beautiful marble elephants neatly polished and
realistically modelled.
Pittalhar Temple
This temple contains a massive statue of Rishab Dev (Adinath) cast in
five metals, the main metal used is Pital (brass), which gives it the name
Pittalhar. This shrine also contains a garbhagraha, gudh mandap and
navchowki.
Parshavanath Temple
The tallest of all the shrines at the Diwara complex, the Parshvanath
temple is a three storied building dedicated to Lord Parshavnath. 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. The decorative sculptures have been etched out so precisely
that one cant help but think they might come alive any minute.
Mahaveer Swami Temple
Though the smallest structure in the temple complex it is no less
elegant. Constructed in 1582 A.D. and dedicated to the 24th Jain
Tirthankara, Lord Mahaveer, it has beautiful paintings on its walls.
Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavira Jayanti or the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira is an
important religious event in the Jain faith. Pilgrims from all over the
country converge at the Dilwara temples on this day. In keeping with the
simplicity of its religion the festival is a day of muted celebration,
solemn visits to the temple and silent prayers.
Climate
The climate of Dilwara can be termed as temperate as it does not change a
lot. Summer temperatures can go as high as 33°/34°C whereas
minimum summer temperatures remain at a pleasant 23°C. Mount Abu's
winters are mild to say the least. It rains heavily during the monsoons.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Dilwara Jain temples are between February and June
or any time after the rains between September and December.
Getting There
Air : The nearest airport to Mount Abu is Udaipur (185
km) from where one can hire a taxi or take a bus.
Rail : The nearest railway station is Abu Road, 29 km
away. Abu Road is connected to both Ahmedabad and Jodhpur.
Road : Ahmedabad is 222 km via Palanpur. Jodhpur is 264
km via Pali and Sirhoi, taxis are easily available from these places to
Mount Abu. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Council also conducts tours
to the interesting spots in Mount Abu.
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