Jain Journal 2000 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 34

COMMUNICATIONS
BHANDASAR TEMPLE OF BIKANER A UNIQUE TRAILOKYA DEEPAK PRASADA IN
INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
HAZARI MULL BANTHIA Rajasthan has been famous for its ancient Jain temples in the country. The modern scholars are surprised to see the archi beauty and grandeur of these BIKANER temples, situated as it is in the very heart of Rajasthan, which is known for its dry and arid climate. Here an attempt has been made to throw some light.on the architecture of the BHANDASAR TEMPLE which is a dream flower of this region. It is to be noted here that a good many scholars have written articles on the different aspects of this temple, but whenever I visited this temple I discovered something new everytime.
This temple was built by saha BHANDA, son of saha BHANA, who was a great money lender (SĀHUKAR) and trader of PURE DESHI GHEE. The foundation stone was laid in V.S. 1541 and was completed in V.S. 1571 in the reign of Rao LUNKARAN the then ruler of Bikaner state.
The credit of the construction of this temple goes to a great architecture named GODA who was a resident of Jaisalmer. He profusely used the famous Jaisalmer hard stone and red stone of Gwari in its construction. The architectural beauty of its grand hall and the gigantic dome along with its long spire is so attractive that one is bound to be enchanted to behold it.
Its three storeys and grand dimensions (190*145) display its grandiose plan and elevation. The actual temple and its adjoining hail measure 95' in length. As it is situated on an elevated ground its soaring height goes upto 112' from the lower ground. Its crowing are 2' x 6' high. In each of the three storeys there are installed images of
ted JINAS in the sanctum-sanctorum. The main figure [MOOLNĀYAK] is that of SUMATINĀTHA, the 5th Tirthankara. The dancing figures and musicians are so beautifully carved on the walls in conformity with the Bharata's Natya -śāstra that they display the sculptors total devotion with his hand and heart while chiseling the dancing damsels.
This temple is constructed in the same style as is witnessed in the famous TRAILOKYA DEEPAK Temple at RANAKPUR in Rajasthan. Hence, it bears the same name i.e. Trailokya Deepak. This fact is borne out by the inscription on the pillar of the assemply hall of the temple. The inscription reads