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ART & LITERATURE
directions. In the sanctuaries on the second and third storeys there are four identical Jain images enshrined. It is because of these four images installed together in this temple, that it is popularly known as Chaturmukh Jain Temple.
In addition to Chaturmukh Prasad this temple is also known as Dharan Vihar, Trailokya Deepak Prasad or Tribhuvan Vihar. Dharan Vihar is a suitable name because it was built by Shreeshthi Dharanashah. It stands like a luminous light spreading radiance in all three spheres (lokas) so it could be aptly called Trailokya Deepak Prasad or Tribhuvan Vihar. All these various names speak of its great glory.
Seventy-six smaller domedshrines, four assembly halls
eyes glued to them. One feels as if the very core of the stone has not been left untouched by the artist's chisel. The radiant images of the goddesses in the dome hold the beholders spellbound, their hearts athrill with expectancy. Judging from Meghanada-mandapa alone, one cannot but feel that the creator must have been much more than a great artist - indeed a weaver of dreams.
Looking at the image of the Lord from the Meghanadamandapa makes one realise how insignificant and imperfect one really is before his infinite Creator and inspires one to rise above false pride and ego and to become aware
of the true place in the Divine scheme
of things. While entering
through the Meghanadamandapa, on the left hand side pillar one sees the
carved
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images of Dharanashah
and Depaka (rangamandapas),
facing the Lord. They four principal shrines
too seem to remind man of (mahadhar prasads) situated in
his humble position before God. the four directions and 84 big
How could one not bow down in and small subsidiary shrines A fish eye view of the unique pillars in the temple reverence before these two great (devakulikas) stand embellishing
souls - the Minister for his artistic the temple, soliciting and inspiring man to strive for devotion and the artist for his devotional art? emancipation from cycles of 84 lakhs of birth and death, The domes and ceilings of this temple are replete with and attain eternal salvation.
innumerable carvings depicting famous incidents from the The four ornate Meghanada-mandapas are unique in past. The artists have given them life and movement with their sculptural beauty. The forty-feet-high pillars bedecked the magic touch of their chisels. While trying to with delicate carvings, the artistic toranas suspended like comprehend their mute language, the beholder becomes ornaments studded with precious stones and the magnificent oblivious of time and space, marvelling at the dome with its delicately carved pendant simply keep one's workmanship. The stone-slabs depicting a cobra with
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Jain Spirit . June - August 2002
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