Jain System in Nutshell

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Nij Gyan Sagar Shiksha Kosh Santa MP

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marble made altar under aesthetic beauty. Many temples have fine decorative art of surprising nature such as at Khajuraho, Deogarh, Mt. Abu, Ranakpur etc. The temples sometimes have a magnificient tope in front of them such as at Hastinapur, Mathura etc. Many temples have free standing pillars called vanity--subduing pillars-again a speciality of the Jains in religious field.
Cave temples-simple or rock cut are other variety found in Orissa, Bihar and south extensively. Some cave temples contain polished stone beds per chance representing the place for voluntary death. Temple arches are also found in many places. Shrines are another forms for temple-like places. The temple art has a Nagar or Dravidian style. The temples were made at distinct places some of which have developed as temple cities now like palitana, Ahar, Kundalpur, Rajgir etc. The temple art is still continuing gracefully.
Wall paintings are also found in many temples and caves representing religious stories, tenets and prominent incidents of Victors' lives, mother's dreams, legendary scenes, miniature painting and palm leaf or paper decoration (manuscripts) which has also been an art of respect. The exquisite samples of this art are found in many Jain manuscript libraries. Wood carving has also been an art. It seems some of these arts have been declining considerably.
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The art and architecture of the Jainas have the main objective to maintain, preserve and glorify the culture extensively. They also glorify the devotees too internally with psychological bliss. Jainas realised that true art represents the spirit of true religion. Besides its religious value, it has been taken as a treasure of the country. That is why many Jain art centers have become tourist attractions now.
Holy Places of Pilgrimage
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Jainas have also holy places to be visited by traditional Jain votaries like other religious systems (i.e. Bodhgaya for Buddhist, Four holy places for Hindus, Mecca-medina for Muslims, Vatican for Christians etc.). There are three kinds of such holy places: (i) salvational (ii) miraculous and (iii) artistic. The salvational holy places are those wherefrom the Jinas or other monks have attained salvation. Such places are described in composition called Nirvan Kanda. Visit to these places is supposed to be the most auspicious and sacred. It is also taken as a form of austerity. Parasnath Hills, Pavapuri, Champapuri are in Bihar while Girnar is in Gujrat. Kailash is in the Himalayas. These are the salvation places for the 24 Jinas. Shatrunjaya, Taranga, Drongiri, Chulgiri, Shramangiri etc. are also salvation places wherefrom other monks have attained salvation. The speciality of these places is that they are located mostly in mountaineous points. They, therefore, also serve as health resorts. Thus, besides
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