Jaina Shrines In India

Author(s): O P Tandon
Publisher: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Vovernment of India

Page 36

Dispersal of Shrines
date from the ninth to the twelfth centuries trict Hamirpur. Understandably, new or possibly the latter limit could be even fusions of architectonic principles and idioms extended by one or more centuries. Some were arrived at in the new centres of Jaina of these temples are situated in a close clus- activity besides the centrally placed Khater. The temples have been chronologically juraho, Mahoba and Deogarh Jaina cities. studied and the distinctions have been These were the places known as Chanderi, pronouncedly earmarked. Thus, there is Dudhai, Chandpur, Madanpur forming found in them not only a wide range but one temple complex in Jhansi district. rich variety of elegance and decorative Their artistic achievements extend upto texture.
the fourteenth century. The non-sectarian Special mention may be made of temple
attitude of the rulers was responsible for No. 12 of Deogarh group of temples (Pl. the glowing contribution to the richness of IV). It consists of a mula-prasada sur
the Jaina composition in the entire Rajput rounded by a flat-roofed ambulatory enclosed
zone of Central India. That is one of the by walls made up of pillars filled between
reasons why we find admixture of so many by perforated jalis (grills). On the north,
different styles and distinctive peculiarities east and south sides, doors are set through
in the planned devices of these medieval these walls opposite the Bhadra, projections
monuments. Khajuraho being the principal of the mula-prasada leading to the ambu
site of inspiration, its Jaina group of art latory. The main doors to the west, origi
comprises the Adinátha, Santinátha and nally perhaps no more elaborate than the
Pārsvanātha temples, besides many old three other doors projecting into the ambu
and modern shrines. The temples have latory hall have now been replaced by later
been renovated more than once which speaks door-frames which may be chronologically
of the deep interest of Jainas and the liberal assigned to Circa 994 A.D. Attached to the
inclination of the rulers. There are certain west of this temple, is a large open qua
Jaina temples which are remarkable for drangle, which is followed by a separate
their motifs only. chatushki.
The Ghantai Temple of Khajuraho is so During the successive rule of the over- called because of its bell and chain ornamenlords of the Chandelas, Kalachuris and tation on its pillars (Pl. V). From the fact Paramaras, although greater emphasis of having found a Buddhist icon from this always lay upon the Hindu faith and its temple, Cunningham had thought it to be manifestations in art. Tainas enjoyed frequent a Buddhist monument at first, though he favours of the ruling dynasties and official changed his view as specific Jaina material dignitaries besides the trading class which was discovered from there. gifted them munificently.
In the series of medieval temples, the It is known to history that Khajuraho best preserved and richly carved temple is which was the capital of the Chandelas, that of Pārsvanátha at Khajuraho (Pl. VI), had an influential Jaina population who which was built in 954 A.D. by Pahila, a were responsible for the construction of favourite of King Dhanga. The temple is many Jaina temples. Jaina images belonging oblong on plan with an axial projection on to the tenth to twelfth centuries are enshrined its two shorter sides. The hall of the main in the temples, the latest having been made shrine has sculptural bands besides latticed in the time of Madanavarma. Medieval windows which make provision for defused Jaina art is also prolific in Mahoba in dis- light inside. The temple contains a modern
was of Pārsvan åtha
mos responsible for the population who