Gujarat has more Jains than any other state of India. Jains are the followers of the religion instituted by Mahavira in the 6th century B.C. One of the most ancient settlements is located at Mount Girnar (Revatak Parvat) where Jainist caves and temples stand on 3630 foot high spread over 5 summits. The site contains Hindu temples but not inside the Deva Kota. It has 16 Jain temples. The most important of this is the Temple of Neminath which contains black stone image encrusted with gems of the 22nd Tirthankara. The temple was built in 1159 within an enclosure onto which 70 cells face. It has two mandapas with domed ceilings and a grabha-griha surrounded by the pradaskhinapatha with pillars made from white marble.
The temple of Tejahpala and Vastupala, two pious ministers during the Solanki dynasty that built the temple in 1230, is composed of a large mandapa onto which three cells open: the eastern cell is dedicated to Mallinatha, the 19th Tirthankara; the southern cell is dedicated to the holy Jain mountain Parasnatha, while the northern cell is dedicated to the mythical mount Meru on a square plinth. Outside the enclosing walls and almost at the top of the mountain stands the Temple of Amba Devi.
The most famous holy city in the Jain world is Palitana, a symbol of ascetics and a destination for pilgrims. Palitana includes 800 temples and 7000 images on the sacred hill of Satrunjaya. The temples are spread over two hilltops inside eleven solid defensive walls. Mostly constructed during 9th-10th century, then destroyed by Moslems and rebuilt in 15th century. Surprisingly, within the perimeter walls, there is a tomb of Moslem holy man, who is said to be protected the site. The typical structure of the temples at Palitana includes an enclosing wall in which the chapels of Tirthankaras are built. The typical temple will have an ardhamandapa with festooned arches, highly decorated mandapa with a magnificent ceilings and a garbha-griha topped with a shikhara and angashikhara. Another typical feature of Palitana which is rare in India is the two or more story temple with a chaturmukha cell. The Chaumukh temple of Adinatha, built in 1618 with a cell open on four sides facing the four cardinal points is based on this plan. The cell is connected to the mandapa on the eastern side and holds a statue of the 1st Tirthankara, Adinatha whose four faces turned towards all religions of the universe. The principal temple on the site is that of Adishvara. It is made from arsa (the local marble), is also dedicated to 1st Tirthankara. It was originally build in 960, but rebuilt in 1530 after destroyed by Moslems. The two story temple is enclosed by a wall containing chapels. Recent constructions include intricate marquetry on window screens or mandapa walls, floor mosaics, floral decorations, statues reveal the genius and faith of local artists. The white marble statutes of the Tirthankara, especially their wide open eyes are made from glass paste with silver pupils to give the prophets the crystal transparency of the enlightened.
The temple of Tejahpala and Vastupala, two pious ministers during the Solanki dynasty that built the temple in 1230, is composed of a large mandapa onto which three cells open: the eastern cell is dedicated to Mallinatha, the 19th Tirthankara; the southern cell is dedicated to the holy Jain mountain Parasnatha, while the northern cell is dedicated to the mythical mount Meru on a square plinth. Outside the enclosing walls and almost at the top of the mountain stands the Temple of Amba Devi.
The most famous holy city in the Jain world is Palitana, a symbol of ascetics and a destination for pilgrims. Palitana includes 800 temples and 7000 images on the sacred hill of Satrunjaya. The temples are spread over two hilltops inside eleven solid defensive walls. Mostly constructed during 9th-10th century, then destroyed by Moslems and rebuilt in 15th century. Surprisingly, within the perimeter walls, there is a tomb of Moslem holy man, who is said to be protected the site. The typical structure of the temples at Palitana includes an enclosing wall in which the chapels of Tirthankaras are built. The typical temple will have an ardhamandapa with festooned arches, highly decorated mandapa with a magnificent ceilings and a garbha-griha topped with a shikhara and angashikhara. Another typical feature of Palitana which is rare in India is the two or more story temple with a chaturmukha cell. The Chaumukh temple of Adinatha, built in 1618 with a cell open on four sides facing the four cardinal points is based on this plan. The cell is connected to the mandapa on the eastern side and holds a statue of the 1st Tirthankara, Adinatha whose four faces turned towards all religions of the universe. The principal temple on the site is that of Adishvara. It is made from arsa (the local marble), is also dedicated to 1st Tirthankara. It was originally build in 960, but rebuilt in 1530 after destroyed by Moslems. The two story temple is enclosed by a wall containing chapels. Recent constructions include intricate marquetry on window screens or mandapa walls, floor mosaics, floral decorations, statues reveal the genius and faith of local artists. The white marble statutes of the Tirthankara, especially their wide open eyes are made from glass paste with silver pupils to give the prophets the crystal transparency of the enlightened.
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