Some Early Jaina Temples in Western India

SR No.: 250310
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: M A Dhaky
Publisher: Z_Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_Mahotsav_Granth_Part_1_012002.pdf and Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_
Total Pages: 58
Language: English
Classification: Article & Tirth
File Size: 19 MB

Page 23

312 : SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME
Solanki style in honour of the dominant dynasty from Gujarat of the self-same denomination who held sway on the major portion of Western India at the height of its power. For reasons mentioned and the premises defined, we shall henceforth call it Māru-Gurjara. The validity of this new nomenclature has been borne out by the studies of U. P. Shah on Western Indian sculptural art; this great authority has arrived at and now favours the self-same threefold classification for the figural art of the Western India of eighth century and after.
To the temples now we shall turn, equipped with our new definitions. All the three styles remain represented by the examples we will notice. The temples selected here for description are relatively more important and of these the author possesses firsthand knowledge.
I. MAHAVIRA TEMPLE, OSIA
Ancient Ukeśa, present Osian or Osia, had been a town of some consequence in Pratihāra times as well as in later Cāhamāna period. That is attested by the presence in this town of the now extant thirteen temples of the Pratihāra period, being the largest group known at one place of that age in Western India, and by a few more of the later times. To the Jainas the site is of triple significance : it is the centre of nativity of the Ukeśavāla banias; a town from which Ukeśavāla Gaccha emanated; and, the oldest Jaina temple now extant in Western India, the sanctuary of Mahavira, exists at this place. Ukeśa must have been a very powerful nerve-centre of the Brahmanical as well as Jaina religious activities in older days, bereft though of its original lustre now
The celebrated temple of Mahāvīra is located at the west end of the town.
The temple complex comprises a vast Jagati (Terrace) which supports the Main Temple and subsidiary shrines and structures. The Main Temple, northerly oriented, consists of: (1) Mülaprāsada (Sanctum Proper) of the sāndhāra class connected by a kapili (buffer wall) to the (2) Gūdhamaņdapa (Closed Hall) followed by the (3) Trika or Mukhamandapa (Vestibule) provided with a Mukhacatuski (Porch). At some distance in front of the Mukhamandapa is located the (4) Torana and a pair of (5-8) Devakulikās (chapels) to the right and left of the free space between the Mukhamandapa and the Torana. On either side as well as the back side of the Mūlaprāsāda runs a (10) Bhramantikā (Cloistered Corridor). Just in front of the Torana is the (11) Valānaka or Balāņaka (Entryhall) which is also known as