Agam 06 Ang 06 Gnatadharma Sutra

Author(s): Jambuvijay, Dharmachandvijay
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

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ATMA VALLABH SANSKRITI MANDIR
Typical Central Dome
The central dome of the structure is unique in design in as much as it has been built with finely chiselled out stone blocks on a double tier system, balanced by well carved out stone pillars and beams. A viewing gallery, circular in shape, juts out into the assembly-hall. The structure has been so designed that the full load of 26 feet dia Upper Dome is supported by the top layer of the lower 64 feet dia Half-Dome and the entire load of the 2 domes then gets' transmitted to pillars underneath the same. The keystone called 'Padma Shila,' fixed in top centre of the Upper Dome, binds the whole structure and gives stability to the twin domes. It alone weighs 6.5 tons and has multidesign floral friezes engraved thereon with a 'Mogra' pendant hanging into the assembly hall. Central Dome and those on the periphery, are covered with exquisitely carved stone blocks transforming themselves into the shape of 'Samarans', symbolising Jain Art. The total height of the structure is 84 feet in consonance with the age of the most exalted Saint, Acharyashree Vijayvallabhsuriji Maharaj. The Statue of Acharyashree
A well sculptured life-like and lively 45 inches high statue in sitting posture, of Acharyashree Vijayvallabhsuriji Maharaj, made out of a spotless block of Ambaji white marble, is installed on a marble pedestal over the Altar under a beautiful marble canopy. This statue is a matchless piece of craftsmanship and has been done by master sculptors S/S Dattatrey Maha and Kantibhai Patel, both of Ahmedabad.
THE BASEMENT
The main building has an equally expansive basement underneath it with a large circular hall in the middle, a lobby in the front and four rooms at the corners. The central roof has been laid with large stone slabs intertwined and interlocked between themselves and supported in the periphery only, on heavy-duty stone pillars arranged in a circle of 64 feet diameter. Here too, a Padma Shila placed in the centre of the roof, acts as the binding stone. For the stability of the vast roof, an Arch Component was necessary. By providing a minirnal camber of only 2.5 feet, an engineering excellence has been achieved. On the other hand, the roofs of the rooms at the four corners, also built with intertwined stone slabs, are even and flat in shape. It is amazing to note that these are self-supporting, even though without any camber.
Unique Architecture
The whole building is a typical structure with double tier dome and vast