Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies Vol 01 Jaina Art and Architecture

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain, Others
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 147

Jaina Temple Architecture : North India
125
easterly orientation seems to have been constructed in the the sanctum, repeats the wall lineaments of the sanctum, middle of the 11" century A.D. The temple has been but the karņas carry deep sunk niches, a feature very rebuilt in the haphazard manner, possibly in the 17th unusual in the temples of this period. These karņacentury A.D. The bhadra-niches of the tri-anga sanctum niches shelter figures of Vidyādevis of whom Vajränkusi, are vacant, but the karmas carry, surprisingly enough, Vajraśnkhala and Rohiņi may still be seen. If we look female forms of Dikpālas. On the pratirathas may be seen at the size and embellishment of the temple, we shall the figures of Vidyādevīs. The gūdhamandapa is plain. find that some royal personage may have been
Padmaprabha Temple - This Jaina temple is instrumental in its creation. built of white sandstone and faces north. It is the largest Judging from the style of the temple it appears Jaina temple of that age in the whole of Rajasthan. The that this temple was probably built in the third quarter Padmaprabha temple consists of a sanctum, of the 11th century A.D. güdhamandapa with lateral entrance porches, NANA mukhamandapa, surrounding devakulikās and a balanaka, Nana is situated in the Pali district of Rajasthan. the last three being of little interest. Similarly, the It has an old Jaina temple of Mahāvīra in sandstone Sikhara of the sanctum is a 17h century erection, and of the time of the Paramāras of Candravati. the roof of the gūdhamandapa is lost beyond recognition. Mahāvira Temple - This cast-facing temple is
The sanctum of the Padmaprabha temple is tri-anga rectangular on plan (Fig. 73) with a sāndhāra sanctum on plan consisting of bhadra, pratiratha and karņa, the and a four-pillared gūdhamandapa, both enclosed by a bhadra being broken into seven planes and the other two common solid wall having entrance from the later built into five planes cach. Between the three offsets are mukhamandapa. It seems that originally the temple was recessed salilantaras which have been reinforced by minor surrounded by a präkära-wall with simple gateway on projecting koņikäs, each broken into three planes. The the east as well as west. Subsequently, some devakulikās pítha of the sanctum is composed of a broad bhitta, a were also added. small bhita, jadyakumbha, karņikā, antarapatta, cippikā, The pitha of the temple is plain and short and grāsapatti, gajathara and narathara. The vedibandha of consists of bhitta, jadyakumbha and pattikā. The the wall consists of khura, kumbha carrying figures of vedibandha of the wall is also plain but tall with five lalitāsana goddesses in niches, kalasa, antarapatta, and traditional mouldings of khura, kumbha, kalaša, kapota embellished with udgama pattern. The jangha- antarapatta and kapota. The janghā-wall is solid and wall, supported by a mañcikā with circular pendants plain; the three bhadras, however, have screen openings. underneath, shows Jina figures in sunk niches on the The pañcaratha ekāņdaka sikhara (Pl. 36) with its bhadras, Dikpälas on the karnas and apsarases on the crowning members like āmalaka etc. is divided into pratirathas. The figures of the janghā stand between two eight stages of bhūmi-āmalakas and bears a lattice of segmented circular pilasters on a console carved with minute caitya-gaväksas. The sikhara seems to have been lotus stalks and are surmounted by udgama-pediments replaced in the 12th or 13th century A.D., but the staggered with squatted monkeys on the corners. The bifacial koņikās series of gavākṣa-pediments over the gūdhamandapa are adorned with elongated half diamonds engraved with look original, although they are thoroughly plastered flamboyant pattern. Above the janghā occurs a circular and white-washed. bharaṇi with foliage clasps, and then it is followed by The interior of the garbhagrha is square and plain kapota, antarapatta and ribbed eave-cornice.
but has three small niches, now vacant, on the outer The gūdhamandapa, which is slightly wider than faces. The doorframe is so thoroughly painted that it
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