Lighthouse

Author(s): Udayvallabhvijay
Publisher: Pragna Prabodh Parivar

Page 15

series of temples on the Shatrunjay hillock at Palitana, one will wonder how lakhs of tons of material was ferried to the construction sites when even stairs were not there on the hillock. It was human labour which carried the stones at hill tops.
It may be called a unique feat for India. The stones which are generally used in construction of temples are easily available in India. In other parts of the world such stones are difficult to find. Whether it is Makrana marble or stones from Dhrangadhra or Dholpur, whether it is the pink stone from Jaipur or Ambaji or the yellow stone of Jesalmer. All these are easily available in India. Engraving is not possible on Italian marble or granite and hence they are not as useful in temple construction.
God has endowed this country of temples with generous availability of appropriate temple construction material. Temple construction is not merely a sculpture in stone. It is an artistic expression of faith towards God which resides in human heart. Temple is faith and belief (shraddha) personified. Temple is an artistic document of spirituality and dedication to God, which is deeply engraved in human heart. A temple is personification of one's love for God. A temple structure becomes like a live object due to dedication of the followers of God.
Some people who try to put the expenses of temple construction to the test of reasonableness question - "does God need such an artistic abode?" God may not need such an artistic abode, but it is an expression of the feelings of love of those who worship the God.
The industry of frenzy greeting cards, hand bands and gift items to express human feelings is many times more
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