________________
on the foot marks which reads: Samvat 1782 Varsha Shake 1647 thi Bhattarakshri Shri Vijayprabhsurishwar Patta Prabharak Bhattarak Shri Pan. Shri Shri Gnanvimalsurishwar Padukebhyo namah Pratishthitam Bha. Shri Saubhagyasagarsuribhihi shri.
Chandraprabhu Swami is the Mul nayak or the presiding deity of the temple. The idol of the deity is installed in the garbh gruha or the sanctum sanctorum together with nine other small idols of marble. There are again a number of small metal images here. The image of one Tirthankar is unique of all in that it has another small image sitting on the lap. The inscription on the image reads: Samvat 1780 Sud 9 Bhaum Adinath bimbam pratisthitam Shri Gnanvimalsuribhihi. The larger image is that of Adinath and the smaller image sitting on the lap seems to be that of his grandson, Marichi who would be a Tirthankar known as Mahavir Swami in future.
There is a marble Siddha Chakra in the garbh gruh. There is also a metal lotus with sixteen petals on each of which is engraved the figure of a Tirthankar. Besides, there are twentyfour metal images of Chaumukhji. There is a marble idol of the eighteenth Tirthankar, Shri Arnathji together with two other idols in the underground cellar of the temple.
The temple was built under the direct supervision of Shri Gnanvimalsuriji who was the chief source of inspiration both to the devotees and the artists at their work. The entire temple is full of rare specimens of artistic excellence in visual arts. As we have noted in the case of the Chintamani Parshwanath temple, we have absolutely no idea of the magnificent pieces of art we are about to see when we enter the temple after passing through a narrow lane for the first time.
We note below some of the major excellences of visual arts that engage our attention here.
1. The architecture of the temple
2. The paintings on the ceiling of the temple.
3. The two wooden pat paintings.
4. Fifteen small paintings in the recesses on the first floor of the temple.
5. Wooden Nandishwar dwip and Samavasaran.
The exterior of the temple is extremely simple. Inspite of its being situated in the midst of a thickly
Jain Education International
Garbh Gruh
Basement Ladder
Rang Mandap
Open Space
X
Entry
For Private & Personal Use Only
Steps
Entry
Pujari Residence
Pujari Residence
Footprints of Shri Gnanvimalsuriji
Architectural Plan Shri Chandraprabhu Swami Temple
Entry
Jain Kashthapat Chitra: 43
www.jainelibrary.org
