Jain Temples of Rajasthan

Author(s): Sehdav Kumar
Publisher: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Art Abhinav Publications

Page 86

Dome in the rangamandapa of the Vimalavasähi temple. Sixteen vidyadevis and vidyadharas are shown in the dome. The dome is 25 ft in diameter and less than 30 ft in height from the floor to the apex. The dome is composed of eleven circular courses and a long circular padmadils.
It may be noted that even though many of these temples were built, financed and inspired by the rulers, or their ministers and generals, there was, nevertheless, an active contribution to this mammoth undertaking by the general public. The devakulikās at Vimalavasāhi were built by the vyavahāris, the businessmen. The Mahāvīra temple at Kumbharia is called the Arasana samghacaitya, 'the temple of Jain congregation at Arasana'. The Neminatha temple at Kumbharia was built by Pasila, and its mandapa was added by Hansibai. In a similar manner, several jina images in the temples at Mount Abu, Kumbharia and elsewhere were installed, from time to time, by Jain śrāvakas, 'lay followers'.
The Vimalavasähi
The Vimalavasahi temple is one of the group of five Jain temples at Dilwara in Mount Abu in Western Rajasthan. Built in 1032 A.D. by Dandanayaka Vimala, the Vimalavasahi temple is the celebrated marble temple dedicated to Adinatha, the first tirthankara.