Jain Architecture in India

6th century B.C. in India marked a significant phase of history with the beginning of new religious and social
movements in the form the shraman tradition which included new Buddhism and Jainism etc. Emergence of
Buddhism and Jainism contributed significantly in the development of early architectural style in India.
Under this new architectural style, stupas and viharas were constructed on a large scale.

The art and architecture of the Jains have the main objective to maintain, preserve and glorify the culture
extensively. Jain architecture especially their temple architecture is one of a kind in India. The great Jain
temples and sculptured monuments of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are world-renowned. Jain
temples at Ranakpur and Mount Abu in Rajasthan are among the most spectacular Jain temples.

Excellent rock cut architecture can also be found in the caves of Mathura, Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh
and Orissa. A number of rock-cut caves have been discovered in Udaigiri and Khandagiri, twin hills in Puri
District of Orissa and in Ellora in Maharashtra.

Rock-cut cave temples

Early examples of rock-cut architecture in India include the Buddhist and Jain cave temples (Chaityas),
monasteries (Viharas). In the early years, Jain temples were built adjoining the Buddhist sites following the
Buddhist rock-cut style. Early cave sites, found in western India were used by Jain monks as places of
worship and residence.

Ellora, dating from the fifth century CE onwards to the eleventh century CE, is one such cave site located in
Aurangabad District of Maharashtra. It is a unique historical site as it has monastries associated with the
three religions (Buddhism, Brahmanism and Jainism).

The remnants of the rock-cut cave architecture are also found in Odisha. The earliest examples are the
Udaigiri-Khandagiri caves in the vicinity of Bhubaneswar. These caves have inscriptions of Kharavela kings.
According to the inscriptions, the caves were meant for Jain monks.

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Features of 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.

Some of the prominent features of Jain temples are listed below:-

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.

Jain temples

Like their Hindu counterparts, Jains were also prolific temple builders. Their sacred shrines and pilgrimage
places can be found across different parts of India.

Some of the most architecturally important Jain sites can be found in Ellora and Aihole in the Deccan. The
famous statue of Gomateshwara at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka is example of rich heritage of Jain
architecture in this region. In central India, Deogarh, Khajuraho, Chanderi and Gwalior have some marvelous
examples of Jain architecture. In the west, Gujarat and Rajasthan have been strongholds of Jainism since
early times. Akota, on the outskirts of Baroda in Gujarat is famous for Jain bronze images.

Dilwara temple
Mount Abu in Rajasthan is known for the Dilwara temple dedicated to Jain Tirthankars. These were built
under the patronage of Solanki rulers. It was built in pure white marble and adorned with exquisite sculpture.
Their rich sculptural decoration with deep undercutting has a lace-like appearance.

Dilwara temple is also famous for its unique and distinct pattern on each ceiling and the graceful bracket
figures along the domed ceilings.

Ranakpur Temple

Ranakpur Jain temple, belonging to the fifteenth century is one of the most splendid architecture of Jains. It
is dedicated to lord Adinath, first Jain Tirthankar. The temple is designed as chaumukha with four faces and
all the statues facing one another.

Light colored marble has been used for the construction of this grand temple. The temple, with its unique
domes rises majestically from the slope of a hill. This temple is supported by over 1444 marble pillars,
carved neatly in exquisite detail. All the pillars are differently carved and no two pillars are the same. It is
believed that it is impossible to count the pillars.
Jain Icons

Jain icons are found ever since 400 BC in different parts of India. Jain icons are world renowned for the use
of rich material such as metal, marble, stone etc. and aesthetic beauty.

Jina's icons of different sizes (miniature or tall), materials and in varying postures (seated or standing) with
attractive meditating faces can be found in different parts of India.

Normally, Jina images were made nude. Also early, Jina idols didn t have any identification mark, but later
idols are adorned by identification marks like lion (Mahavir) and bull (Rishabhdeva) etc. Footprints also
have a special place in Jain art. These footprints have a great significance as they inspire the followers of
Jainsim to follow the path led by the Jinas.

There are many Jain idols which are internationally acclaimed for their grandiosity. Idols of Lord Bahubali at
Shravanbelgola in Karnataka (983 AD) and Lord Rishabhdev at Barvani in Madhya Pradesh need special
mention for their magnificence. Palitana is one of the prominent pilgrimage sites of jains known for its
variety of idols.

Shravanabelagola

Shravanabelagola in Karnataka is one of the most important Jain pilgrimage site in India, visited by lakhs of
followers every year. This is a surrealistic place where two strange craggy mountains of Chandragiri and
Vindhyagiri are facing each other on both sides of the town. At the peak of Vindhyagiri, there is a 57 feet
high, monolithic statue of Lord Gommateshwara, also known as Lord Bahubali, son of the first Tirthankara,
Adinath in tradition.

It was commissioned by Camundaraya, the General-in-Chief and Prime Minister of the Ganga Kings of
Mysore. The statue, which was carved about 1,000 years ago, depicts legend of Lord Bahubali: he had
practiced asceticism in an upright stance until ivy covered his legs and anthills formed at his feet.
Bawangaja

Bawangaja is a famous Jain pilgrim site in the Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh. It is known for the
world's largest megalithic statue (carved out of mountain) of Lord Adinatha, the first Jain Tirthankara. The
statue is 84 feet high. It was created early in the 12th century.

The idol of Lord Adinatha is made in brown stone in Kayotsarga posture. The hands of idol are not joined
with legs but are made separate. The structural art and style of this idol is unique. The various parts of idol
are quite symmetrical. There is balanced depiction of all emotions like joy, mercy and separation on the face
of this idol.