Dilwara Temples or Dilwara Jain Temples or simply Delvada Temples are a group of five (5) Svetambara Jain temples located just about 2.5 kms from the renowned hill station of Mount Abu in Sirohi District, Rajasthan. The earliest temple was built by Vimal Shah and supposedly designed or financed by Vastupala, Jain minister of Dholka. The temples built between 11th and 16th centuries are famous for their use of a very pure white marble and intricate marble carvings. Set in beautiful surroundings of mango trees and wooded hills, Dilwara is a major pilgrimage spot for believers of Jain faith, they are a big tourist attraction of Rajasthan.
The Dilwara temples predates the town of Mount Abu by several centuries. The temple complex is built in the midst of forested hills. Each of the five temples are enclosed within a single high walled compound with their own unique identity. The temples have undergone repairs time to time. Allauddin Khilji had attacked and damaged the temples in 1311. In 1321, Bijag and Lalag of Mandore had undertaken repairs. In 1906, Lallubhai Jaichand of Patan had the temples repaired and reconsecrated on April 25, 1906, under the supervision of Yati Hemasagar. Extensive repairs were again undertaken during 1950-1965 by Anandji Kalyanji with the work done by Amritlal Mulshankar Trivedi. The repair work is distinctly visible as older marble was yellow whereas the newer marble is white.
It is said that artisans were paid according to amount of dust they collected, encouraging them to carve ever more intricately. The intricately carved ornamental details can be seen in minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels. Built in the Māru-Gurjara architecture style, these temples are managed by Seth Shri Kalyanji Anandji Pedhi, Sirohi that also runs a Bhojanshala (dining hall) nearby. Several facilities have been added over the years. These include bathing area, which is mandatory before performing puja. Solar power to heat up the water for bathing and other things has been added in recent years. Guided tour for tourists are also available. The five temples are:-
Vimal Vasahi, dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Shri Rishabhadeva
Luna Vasahi, dedicated to the 22nd Jain Tirthankara, Shri Neminatha.
Pittalhar, dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar, Shri Adinatha.
Parshvanath, dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, Shri Parshvanatha.
Mahavir Swami, dedicated to the last Jain Tirthankara, Shri Mahaviraswami.
1. Vimal Vasahi Temple
Adinatha or Vimala Vasahi Temple is carved entirely out of white marble and was built probably in 1032 by Vimal Shah, a minister of Bhima I, the Chaulukya king of Gujarat. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rishabha Deva. The temple in an open courtyard is surrounded by a corridor, which has numerous cells containing smaller idols of various tirthankaras. The outer mandapa is an addition of the 12th century. The temple known for its richly carved corridors, pillars, arches, and ‘mandaps’ or porticoes features ceiling with engraved designs of lotus-buds, petals, flowers and scenes from Jain mythology.
Vimala Vasahi Temple is known its figures of animal life, life journey from dream to incarnation of tirthankars. There are 59 devakulikas or small shrines facing the main image of Rishabhanatha. There are blocks that house carved images of Ambaji, Munisuvrata. The mulnayak idol of Rishabhanatha is carved with attendant deities and images of 4 tirthankar giving the idol the name Saparikar Panchtirthi.
The temple is known for Navchowki, a collection of nine (9) rectangular ceilings, each containing carvings of different designs that are supported on ornately decorated/carved pillars. The ceiling has carvings of horses, elephants, musician, dancers and soldiers. The Gudh mandap is a hall just after stepping inside its heavily decorated doorway and houses two idols of Parshvanatha in Kayotsarga position and idol of Adi Nath or Lord Rishabdev. The mandap is meant for Aarti to the deity. The Hastishala or Elephant courtyard was constructed by Prithvipal, a descendant of Vimal Shah in 1147-49 and it features a row of elephants in sculpture with the members of the family riding them. It is believed that 1500 masons and 1200 laborers took 14 years to build the temple and it cost Rs 185.3 million then.
2. Luna Vasahi
Luna Vasahi or Neminatha temple is dedicated to Lord Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankara. Built in 1230 by Vastupal and Tejpal, two Porwad brothers ministers in court of Virdhaval, the Vaghela ruler of Gujarat. The temple built in memory of their late brother was designed after the Vimal Vashi temple. The temple has structure similar to Vimala Vasahi temple but is more richly carved in the inside. The main hall or Rang mandap features a central dome from which hangs a big ornamental pendant featuring elaborate carving. Arranged in a circular band are 72 figures of Tirthankars in sitting posture. Just below this band are 360 small figures of Jain monks in another circular band. The Hathishala or elephant cell features 10 marble elephants, polished and realistically modelled. One of the special feature of the temple is the two niches of Derani and Jethani, the wives of Vastupal and Tejpal. Both niches have image of Lakshmi with sculptures of Sambhavanatha and Shantinatha respectively.
Also worth mentioning is the Navchowki that features some of the most delicate marble stone cutting work that can be seen in the entire temple complex. The ceilings of the temple, depict exquisitely carved scenes from the life of Neminatha. Special mention is for the image of Rajmathi, who was to marry Neminatha and Krishna. The Gudh mandap features a black marble idol of Neminatha. The carvings of devkulikas and Chakreshvari in the ceiling is also noteworthy. The Kirthi Stambha is a big black stone pillar on the left of the temple constructed by Maharana Kumbha of Mewar.
3. Pittalhar Temple
This temple, smaller than the 2 main temples is also called the Adinatha temple. Its’ construction was started by Bhima Shah, a minister of Sultan Begada of Ahmedabad. Built between 1316-1432 AD it has massive metal statue of the main deity, the first Tirthankara, Rishabha Dev (Adinath) cast in five metals. The main metal used is ‘Pital’ (brass), hence it is also called Pittalhar. There are a total of 107 images in the temple and consists of main Garbhagriha, Gudh mandap and Navchowki with idol of yakshi Chakreshvari and yaksha Gomukha on both sides. The old mutilated idol was replaced in 1468-69 AD with another weighing 108 maunds or 4 metric tons. In Gudh Mandap on one side, a big marble Panch-Tirthi sculpture of Adinath is installed. Some shrines (devakulika) were constructed between 1474 and 1490 AD, before construction was abandoned.
4. Shri Parshvanatha Temple
This temple, dedicated to Lord Parshvanath, was built by Sangvi Mandlik and his family in 1458–59. A small temple by size, it is said masons used unused stones of Vimala Vasahi and Luna Vasahi temple to add the white marble since the temple was mainly built with grey marble stone. It consists of a three-story building, the tallest of all the temples at Dilwara. On all the four faces of the sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor are four big mandapas housing a Choumukha idol of Parshvanatha. On the first floor, the Chaumukha idol the front iconography is of Chintamani Parshvanath, second Magalakar Parshvanatha and third Manoratha-Kalpadruma Parshvanatha. All are depicted with hood of nine cobras. The fourth image of Parshvanatha is illegible. In the corridor there are images of 17 tirthankaras and paintings of flowers. There is depiction of 14 dreams, mother of tirthankars had before their births. On the second floor, Chaumukha idol is of Sumatinatha, Parshvanatha, Adinatha and Parshvanatha. The idol of Goddess Ambika is also present. On the third floor, Chaumukha idol is of Parshvanatha. The outer walls of sanctum sanctorum consist of ornate sculptures in grey sandstone, depicting Dikpals, Vidhyadevis, Yakshinis, Shalabhanjikas and other decorative sculptures comparable to the ones in Khajuraho and Konark.
5. Shri Mahaveer Swami Temple
Smallest temple in complex, it was constructed in 1582 and is dedicated to Lord Mahavira. Known for carvings on walls, the upper walls of the temple have pictures painted in 1764 by the artists of Sirohi. There are also detailed carvings of flowers, pigeons, court-scene, dancing girls, horses, elephant, and other scenes. On each side of Mahavira, there are 3 idols of tirthankars. Outside the shrine, there is a marble slab of rectangular shape with a triangle stone over it containing 133 images of miniature-sized tirthankar with a larger image in center.
Other Information
One of the finest and architecturally renowned Jain temples in India, the temples display a lot of images from the Hindu and Jain Mythology. The profusion of petals, lotus buds, and flowers carved on the ceilings and pillars lend a distinctive look to the temples. Carved corridors, courtyards, arches, and porticos are other distinctive features of the temple. Though a sacred place for Jain religion, the temple complex has a storehouse inside, where one can get rare ancient manuscripts of the bygone era.
Many state and private buses are available from Jodhpur, Udaipur and other major cities of Rajasthan to visit Dilwara temples. Private taxis and cabs are also available. Nearest airport is in Udaipur 185 km away, and Abu Road Railway Station is located 28 km away. Tourist can visit the temple from 12 noon to 6 pm in evening. Cameras, mobile phones, belts etc. are not allowed inside the temple. Women are not allowed to wear shorts or skirts above their knees, and even men are also advised not to wear shorts. There is Jain dharamshala with rooms available at reasonable rates.
