Jinamanjari 2000 09 No 22

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 62

Temples of Tirthaṇkaras
Dhanapala has described two Jain temples in the course of his narration: of Lord Rṣabha at Mt Ekaśṛnga, and of Lord Mahāvīra at Mt Ranakūta. Several interesting details have been given, and Dhanapala's intimate knowledge of Jain temples is reflected in the graphic descriptions of the these two temples. Interestingly, it appears that the Vāstuprkaraṇā of Thakkura Pheru seems to have served as the practical handbook detailing Jain temples.
Lord Rṣabha Temple
It is believed to be located in the Eastern Himalayan range at Ekasriga. The shrine was a prāsāda-type stone structure, lined with ruby slabs, and resembled a sura-vimana (divine mansion). The architectural sub-type of the shrine is known as sarvatobhadra. Bhoja in his Samarāngaña-sūtradhāra and N. M. Sompura in his Silparatnākara have provided lengthy details on the sarvatobhadra-type prāsāda.
The term vimāna, according to Kramrish, denotes the inner most sanctuary with a generally square floor plan. On the insights provided by Mrs. Stella, Dr. Dwijendranth Shukla has differentiated the terms prāsāda and vimāna. According to him, prasāda is an extension part of the temple to various attached halls, and vimāna is a temple constructed by applying various proportionate measurements or various standards of proportionate measurements and is based on the sastra tradition.
Dhanapāla gives the description of Lord Rṣabha temple. Accordingly, the whole structure was encircled by a compound prākāra (wall) which appears to have had at least four gates, placed in the principal directions, and each had a corresponding pratolikā (roadway). Surrounding the temple was a beautiful garden, containing two subsidiary marble (quartzite) shrines to the right and left of the main shrine (mūlāyatana). Within these smaller shrines were various images of Tirthankaras carved in such materials as topaz, ruby set on sapphire thrones, moonstone, and emeralds.
Although presented in a different textual context within the work, Dhanapala provides other details of this particular temple. For example, he mentions that the temple had mani-kuṭṭima (jewel-studded floor), a wide basement built of marble slabs; topaz needles were served as lamps; birds were carved on the eaves, and that strings of pearls were suspended from the ceiling vaults.
He also notes that there were wide attractive doors, golden
55