Jain Pilgrimage

Author(s): Lalitprabhsagar
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 60

the idols of the temple have been engraved on very hard marble which makes itself evident how much effort the sculptors had to put in to carve these idols.
On observing the engravings of the temple deeply, it appears that the main trend of the sculptors of that period was only in the engraving of ornamental visualisations. The sculptors had acquired special proficiency in making the idols of gods rather than creating statues of human beings. The carvings of these idols of the divinity including the carvings of the nayakas, vidyadharas, apsaras, vidyadevis and other godsgoddesses of Jainism, have been done on the domes, pillars and arches of the temple.
It is but natural that the glimpses of Jain philosophy will be seen in a Jain temple, but the builders, the planners and the sculptors of this temple have also presented artistic rendering of the entire Hindu culture and the Indian culture. Even the scene of a woman waiting eagerly for her lover has been accommodated here. There are altogether six temples here out of which five pertain to the 'Shwetamber' and one to the 'Digambar'.
THE TEMPLE OF LORD MAHAVIR-Including Lord Mahavir, the twentyfourth Tirthankar' of Jainism, nine 'Jinas' have been established here. This is the smallest and the simplest of all the temples constructed here. It was built in 1582 A.D. The paintings of Arayish on the ceilings of the internal part of the temple have become somewhat damaged.
VIMALWASAHI TEMPLE - This is the most magnificent temple of the Delwada campus. Mahamantri (prime minister) Vimal Shah had got it constructed. Vimal Shah, Chanakya of Gujarat, was the minister-cum-army general of Maharaj Bheemdev. This most splendid temple had been built under the direction of the great sculptor Kirtihar of Vadnagar (Gujarat). Nearly 1,500 artisans and 1,200 labours worked together for 14 years to get this temple materialised. In those days, the construction of the temple cost 18.53 crore gold-coins. The great consecration ceremony of this temple was performed in 1031 A.D. in the auspicious presence of Acharya Shree Vardhman Suri. Prithvipal, the descendant of Vimal Shah had renovated several entrances of this temple between samvat 1204 and 1206. He also built a stable of elephants just in front of this temple with a view to immortalize the glory of his ancestors. At the main portion of its door is the statue of Vimal Shah on a horse-back.
In 1311 A.D. Alauddin Khilji had damaged this temple which was later repaired by Beejad and Laalak brothers of Mandor (Jodhpur). Just on entering the main gate, the heart becomes gladdened on viewing the temple's magnificent artistic ceilings, domes and the arched entrances. Glimpses of the ornamental engraving, the magnificence of sculpture and finesse can be seen on every side here. This temple has in all 57 edifices with background arches in which the statues of various Tirthankars have been established. Inside the engraved door of every edifice there are two domes, whose artistic
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The sacred idol of AADINATH majestically seated in the sanctum sanctorum
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Fascinating scene of the temple
Salutations by the goddessAn attractive posture of a dance depicting blessed devotion →→