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these shrines belong to different centuries. The first two are build wholly of white marble, they have got exuberant carvings and
ornamentation work on the walls, doors, pillars, mandaps, torans,
ceilings etc.. The designs depict life stories of Jain Tirthankars, scenes of Gods and Goddesses and great men from Jain and great
Hindu mythology. The most famous of these are the Vimal Vasahi and Luna Vasahi temples.
Vimal Vasahi (Shri Adi Nathji temple):
Vimal
Vasahi Temple was built in 1021 by Vimal Shah, the minister and
commander in chief of Bhima Dev I, Solanki ruler of Gujarat. Vimal Shah was remorseful and spent the rest of his life in
religious discourse at Chandravati (near Abu road); inspired by Jain
Acharaya, to wash out his sins perpetrated in the battle fields,
with the blessings of tutelary deity Ambika, constructed this temple.
It took 1500 artisans and 1200
laborers a time span of 14 years to build this brilliant piece of architecture. The
whole shrine covers an area of 140 ft. long and 90 ft. broad. As we
enter the temple we get a glimpse of the grandeur of sculptured marble,
exquisite carvings of ceilings, domes, pillars and arches of the temple
which is beyond anyone's expectations. It has a sanctum, a Gudha Mandap,
Navchowki, Rang Mandap and a circumambulatory corridor having 57 cells.
In each cell , image of one or the other Jain Tirthankar is installed.
In front of every cell, double carved roofs are screened by double
arcade of pillars. Cell numbers are marked and the name of the idol installed in it is also written.
Luna Vasahi (Shri Nemi Nathji temple):
The Luna Vashi temple is dedicated to the 22nd Jain Tirthankara Shri
Neminathji. This magnificent temple was built in 1230 by two Porwad brothers - Vastupal and
Tejpal - both ministers of a Virdhaval, the Vaghela ruler of Gujarat. The temple
built in memory of their late brother Luna was designed after the Vimal Vashi
temple. 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. The Hathishala or
elephant cell features 10 beautiful marble elephants neatly polished and realistically modelled.
Rang Mandap: A grand Hall supported by 12 decorated
pillars and nicely carved out arches with a central dome in the most
exquisite design. You can also see designs with heavy ornamentation
work. On the pillars are placed the female figures playing musical
instruments and 16 Vidhyadevis - the goddesses of knowledge - each one
having her own symbol.
Navchowki: It comprises of
the nine rectangular ceilings, each one containing beautiful carvings of
different designs supported on the ornate pillars.
Hastishala
( (Elephant Cell): Hastishala was constructed by Prithvipal, a decedent of Vimal Shah in 1147-49
A.D. In the front entrance statue of Vimal Shah originally carved in
marble is seen, the statute was mutilated and was repaired by plaster. A
Smavasaran, circular in shape, is also noteworthy. |
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