Osiaji Mahavira Temple

Author(s): Rabindra J Vasavada
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 18

Front Hall
As stated earlier this pillared hall has been added recently amalgamating the original porch and the verandah which marked the entrance to the Temple. The structure of the earlier facade including the ceiling and roof is retained and additional pillars totalling to fourteen are added in front of existing pillars as shown on the illustration. The width of the hall coincides with the width of the inner hall and the plinth is also extended at the lower level to mark the flooring of the extended hall. The plinth projects beyond the northern row of pillars and accommodates the entrance steps to the pillared hall. The part of earlier entrance steps to the inner hall are retained within the central bay connected with the entrance pavilion of the older facade, which mark the entrance doorway to the inner hall of main shrine. Entrance Hall
As stated earlier, the entrance hall as we see today has replaced the earlier entrance hall which existed since the Pratihara period. This was in its modified form as recorded by Bhandarkar and is explained in his report. During the expansion of the Temple during this century the older entrance hall is modified including its level which is made flat and a new entrance porch is attached on the north on the road front. The enclosing periphery towards the Temple court is dispensed with and the entrance hall now sits entirely on the courtyard floor. The hall has a domical central shape supported by 12 pillars and the ceiling is spanned by a hemispherical dome in stone construction. There are three wings attached to the dome with an isle space adjoining the central hall on north east and west. The east and west wings have a structure constructed with 8 columns spanning 3 base, north south. The wing on the north is attached to the north wall on the street face and is attached to the north wall on the street face and is supported between a row of 4 columns and 4 pilasters attached to the wall. The entrance porch on the street side is projected beyond this point with a similar structure forming the overall entrance porch. On the eastern wing is attached the subshrine No. 5 which earlier was connected with the eastern wall of the entrance hall. This entire structure, enlarged and re-modelled is the latest addition to the Temple Complex and shows the overall effect of contemporary Temple building traditions adopted by Jaina builders. The character of this hall is described by the Sompura builders as that of a dancing hall in a Temple, but in this case this space which is approximately 180 sq. mts. is used for religious discourse and gathering by large groups of pilgrims which visit the Temple very often for pilgrimage. In construction of the new hall the use of considerable number of old column parts