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MEDIEVAL JAINISM : CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT
to time. In 1675 V.S. it was renovated by Seth Tharushah of Jaisalmer and Acharya Jaina Suri performed the installation ceremony.? Jain muni Jinadutt Suri came in 1111 A.D. to Bikrampur, a town of Jaisalmer State for the propagation of Vidhi chaitya movement. Jain Prabodh Suri, another Jain muni was invited by the ruler of Jaisalmer in 1283 A.D. for spending his Chaturmash in this desert town.
The fort of Jaisalmer was constructed by Maharawal Jaisal between 1178 to 1187 A.D. From time to time several buildings and fortifications were added to it. In the fifteenth century some rich Oswal merchants built five temples in the fort. As soon as one enters the fort the cluster of these splendrous Jain temples attracts his or her attention. The temple of Parshvanath is the main attraction. This temple was built by an Oswal named Jai Singh. It was completed in 1416 A.D. Later on several images were added to it bringing the total number to 1253.
According to R.A. Agrawal, the main architect of this temple was Dhanna.It is built on a paved terrace. The torana at the entrance of this temple, has been designed beautifully. On both sides of the torana there are images of gods and goddesses, among whom Bhairav is the central figure. The dancing poses of charming damsels, faces of lions, elephants and horses; and designs of flowers have been exquisitely carved out on the torana. On the centre of the high sikhar of torana the image of Parshvanath in meditation is exquisitely carved out.
The stairway of the temple is connected with a porch. The porch is also beautifully carved out. The three toranas forming its roof bear the images of the Tirthankaras.
On the pattern of the Solanki and Baghela style of temple architecture in Gujarat this temple has a sabha
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