Question

Explain about Jain temples and prominent features of Jain temples

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Answer 1

A Jain temple or Derasar is the place of worship for Jains, the followers of Jainism.Jain architecture is essentially restricted to temples and monasteries, and secular Jain buildings generally reflect the prevailing style of the place and time they were built.

Jain temple architecture is generally close to Hindu temple architecture, and in ancient times Buddhist architecture. Normally the same builders and carvers worked for all religions, and regional and period styles are generally similar. For over 1,000 years the basic layout of a Hindu or most Jain temples has consisted of a small garbhagriha or sanctuary for the main murti or cult images, over which the high superstructure rises, then one or more larger mandapa halls.

Māru-Gurjara architecture or the "Solanki style" is, a particular temple style from Gujarat and Rajasthan (both regions with a strong Jain presence) that originated in both Hindu and Jain temples around 1000, but became enduringly popular with Jain patrons. It has remained in use, in somewhat modified form, to the present day, indeed also becoming popular again for some Hindu temples in the last century. The style is seen in the groups of pilgrimage temples at Dilwara on Mount Abu, Taranga, Girnar and Palitana.

Answer 2

Jain temples :-

Jain architecture developed largely as an offshoot of Hindu and Buddhist styles. It cannot be accredited with a style of its own. Compared to the number of Hindu temples in India, Jain temples are few and spaced out. The regional styles of Jain temple architectural are easily distinguishable in different parts of the country.

Early Jain temple architecture was mostly rock cut and bricks were hardly used. In later years, however, brick temples were constructed in a large scale. At the same time, they also deviated from Hindu and Buddhist sites to build on their own.

The majority of Jain temples in India consist of three core building elements:

• Image chamber – Garbhagriha

• Hall – Mandapa

• Porch

A fourth element, referred to as Antarala, can also be seen lying between the image chamber and its hall. Antarala, a small vestibule is a space where worshippers can stand and gaze at the icon or follow rituals conducted within the shrine.

Prominent features of Jain temples :-

• As opposed to solitary Hindu temples, Jain temple architecture are mostly found in the form of ‘temple-cities’. These temple-cities are large temple compounds, which contain large numbers of individual or interconnected temples and shrines.

• Most of Jain pilgrimage sites were built on hilltops which include Palitana temple in Gujarat, Sonagiri temple in M.P. etc.

• The chambers of these temples have pointy domes and wherever there is dome, the pillars are omitted to create an octagonal space within.

• Jain temples are noted for the use of rich materials like marble and ornamentation.

• Domes or shikharas on the top are usually smaller than the ones found in Hindu temples. These multiple dome points, reaching toward the sky give a very distinct appearance to Jain temple cities.

• Jain temples have numerous pillars having a well designed structure, forming a square.

• The squares thus formed create chambers or chapels which contains the image of a deity.

• These pillars and roofs of the temple are richly carved and well decorated.

• Unlike Buddhist Viharas, the Jain viharas do not have the assembly or prayer hall surrounded by cells. The cells of Jain viharas are small and plain, designed to observe rigorous asceticism by Jain monks. The doorways are also small and one has to bend or crawl to enter a cell.

• Jain temples were mostly built on platforms or terraces, commonly referred to as “Jagati” or “Vedi”. Even rock-cut cave temples have platforms. This was done to elevate the temple above the surrounding surface and create a distinct sacred area.

• Jain temples are enclosed by free-standing high compound walls, called as Prakara.

• Structurally speaking, a Jain temple is constructed on a square plan with openings in four cardinal directions, each of which could lead to the image of a Tirthanakara. The Chamukh temple of Lord Adinath is a characteristic example of the four-door temple.