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

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SOME EARLY JAINA TEMPLES IN WESTERN INDIA : 345 The sikhara of the Mulaprasada is a seventeenth century reconstruction. The Gudhamandapa has lost its external covering since long ago. The Trika and the attendant shrines with Valanaka are of little interest. Judging from the size and ornateness of the Main Temple, it is not unlikely that a Cahamana prince could have his hands in its founding. VIJI PARSVANATHA TEMPLE, SADRI Sadri is a midway station for the pilgrims and tourists proceeding to the world-famous Ranakpur. Very few, however, are aware of the wonderful little shrine of Parsvanatha located in the town. It is difficult to comprehend how BHANDARKAR missed this temple. This splendid temple is almost a smaller replica of the Padmaprabha temple at Nadol and built likewise of Sonana stone of white, dry complexion. On plan it is tri anga with the usual bhadra, karna and pratiratha proliferations. * Unlike the Nadol temple, however, the pitha omits the upper, figural courses. An udgama is found on bhadra points on the jadyakumbha as in Nadol temples and the Parsvanatha temple at Sanderav. This feature is absent in the contemporary temples in Gujarat. It is a legacy of the Maha-Maru tradition preserved by the Maru-Gurjara temples in this tract of Rajasthan. The jangha of the mandovara of the temple displays as usual the Dikpalas and apsarases (Fig. 20). The sikhara above the Mulaprasada (Fig. 21) is a masterpiece of the Maru-Gurjara style and except for the stunted pitha, the Mulaprasada with its sikhara reveals extremely good proportions, beauty of form and excellence of details. The rathika on the east shelters an image of Vagdevi : that on the west, Vidyadevi Mahamanasi. The diameter of the Mulaprasada is about 6.1 M. The superbiy proportioned Gudhamandapa thoroughly harmonizes with the Mulaprasada despite the fact that the superstructure is missing. On the jangha, at all karna faces, deep sunk niches sheltering Yaksis and Vidyadevis are there as we saw at the Padmaprabha temple at Nadol. The Vidyadevis figure on pratirathas as well; while apsarases and Dikpalas here occupy subsidiary positions. : On the east wall of the Gudhamandapa are found Apraticakra, Nirvani, Mahakali, Mahamanasi, Vairotya, Rohini, and Vajrankusa. Those on the corresponding west face are Vairotya, Kali (?), Vajrankusi, Purusadatta, an unidentified goddess, Rohini, and Kali. The bhadra niches are vacant. : The width of the Gudhamandapa is 7.92 M approximately. The Trika has no special feature to detain us. The Rangamandapa is in the Ranakpur