Jain Pilgrimage

Author(s): Lalitprabhsagar
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 21

INTERIOR OF THE TEMPLE: Splendour of art at its zenith
cast your glance. The onlooker becomes wonderstruck on seeing so many columns together, but this enchantment effuses him with a sense of glory.
There are so many columns here that not as many earthenware lamps would have burnt in the palace of an emperor. Here we have 1444 columns representing the finest forms of art. Every column is a living example of art. The special feature is that a new form of art is etched on every column. Every column is in itself an independent dimension of art. There is no other building in the world that has so many milky lofty columns in marble.
When standing inside the premises we turn our eyes towards the ceiling, we see above a lavish and lively form of art the equal whereof is very difficult to find. On this ceiling is engraved a creeper of 'Kalpvalli-Kalptaru' (the wish-fulfilling tree). This is a beautiful view of the art of the temple. This is considered to occupy an important place in the history of architecture. This place is called Meghnad Mandap.
On proceeding four steps more the viewer finds himself under a balcony-cum-dome. The artistic domehangings look like jewel-studded ear-rings. At this place there are two columns on two sides which contain small statues of the builder and the architect of the temple. The statue of Dharnashah is on the left column and that of the architect Depa is on the right side.
Here, the arch built outside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple may be hailed as the finest example of art. A person standing in the premises identifies himself with the art-enriched devotion when his eyes get a glimpse of the magnificent idol of Lord Adinath, adorning the main sanctum sanctorum. This idol measures 62 inches and, in all, four such idols are placed facing four sides. Probably for this very reason, this temple is also renowned by its popular name Chaturmukh Jinprasad. The internal configuration of the sanctum sanctorum has been done in the form of a Swastik-shaped room. Outside the main temple there is an idol of the protector deity of the pilgrimage which is considered to be miraculous. There are two huge bells outside the sanctum-sanctorum which are differentiated as masculine and feminine. This difference is identified by the sound of the bell. Such a sound is emitted from the bells which makes one feel the sound of 'Om' being echoed.
There is a huge tree on the left of the main temple. It is called Rayan tree. Under this tree there are also the foot-images of Tirthankar Adinath. Factually, this scene reminds of the famous Jain pilgrimage Shatrunjaya. Near the tree is a column named Sahasrakoot which is incomplete. It is said that many efforts were made to complete it, but it could not be completed. Just as this huge pillar/column attained a particular height, it broke down forthwith. In front of the Sahasrakoot is a huge marble elephant, bearing the idol of Marudevi, mother of
RE
SOME OF THE PILLARS OF RANAKPUR
Lain Education Interational