Holy Abu

Author(s): Jayantvijay
Publisher: Yashovijay Jain Granthmala

Page 25

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[ Holy Abu
top of the plateau is about twelve miles long by three miles wide. There are here four targe temples, two of them, namely, Vimala Vasahi (1030 A.D.) and the Tejahpāla Vasahi (c. 1232 A.D.), being unrivalled for delicacy of carving by any temples in India. They were built wholly of white marble brought from quarries about 30 miles away, and it is now difficult-to imagine how stone blocks of such big size were carried up the top of the hill
The temple built by Vimala Shāh, a minister under Bhīmadeva of Gujarāt, in the year 1030 A.D., is known as Vimala Vasahi. Being earlier of the two, it is simpler and bolder although loaded with elaborate carving throughout its interior. Externally the temple is quite plain, and there being nothing to indicate the magnificence within, except the pyramidal roof of the cella, the latter also being too low to be given the status of a proper shikhara. Architecturally the ground plan stretches from west to east, with the temple facing east. It is placed inside an oblong courtyard, measuring 128' X 75' inside. The same is surrounded by a double colonnade of smaller pillars and by 52 cells (deva-kulikās) built along the four walls of the enclosure and opening towards the courtyard. The shrine is faced with three Mandapas in one alignment, and outside the walls of the courtyard (140' x 90' outward measurement) and in the same axis as the shrine is the portico facing which is another rectangular building serving as the portrait-gallery of the founder. For the sake of clarity the various parts may be set forth as follows-as the visitor will see them while entering from the east :
(1) Hasti-shālā ( 25' x 30'), a rectangular building supported on 6 pillars, containing statues on elephants. At one time they were taken to represent Vimala and his family coming in procession to the temple. But the learned