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JAINA CULTURE
Jaina brothers. It was dedicated to Nemiñatha (Lord Aristanemi), the twenty-second tirthankara. Vimal Shah, Tejpal and Vastupal were ministers of Gujarat.
The two temples are similar in plan. They are relatively plain on the exterior but surprisingly rich in interior adornment. Both are constructed entirely of white marble. The setting of these temples on the hill at a height of more than four thousand feet is most picturesque. Each of the temples stands in a rectangular walled area surrounded by recesses with statues of tīrthankaras and other deities. The central structure is a cell with a pyramidal roof. Connected with this cell is a closed hall. In front of this hall is an extensive open portico or assembly hall decorated with free-standing columns and a beautiful dome supported by eight pillars. The beautiful ornamentation of these sanctuaries is astonishing. The minutely carved adornment of their ceilings, pillars, doorways, panels and niches is marvellous. The crisp, thin, translucent, shell-like treatment of the marble is simply surprising. The work is wonderfully delicate and extraordinarily delightful. Temple-cities :
Satruñjaya (near Palitana) in Gujarat is the most famous temple-city. It has more than five hundred shrines in separate enclosures. The total number of images of tirthankaras exceeds five thousand. Some of the sanctuaries are as old as the tenth century. The temple of Adinátha (Lord Rşabha) in the Vimalavasi Tunk was built in 1530 A. D. upon the site of another older temple erected in 960 A. D. An image of Pundarska in a small cell of the temple is one of the most beautiful specimens of the tenth century sculpture. A small shrine built by the Nagarseth of Ahmedabad in 1840 A. D. is a pillared hall of unique design with external verandahs. The floor is divided by twelve piers into nine small squares. The domes of the roof are supported by arches between these piers. It has entrances from all the four sides, the principal being on the west. Some temples at
