Dilwara Temple
Vimal Vasahi Temple
Luna Vasahi
Pittalhar Temple

Parshavanath Temple
Mahaveer Swami Temple
Khandagiri Caves
Udaygiri Caves

Dilwara Temple

Welcome to the land of Tirthankars. Welcome to the land where non-violence, peace and truth have been understood and practiced for thousands of years. Welcome to Uttar Pradesh, the place of many historical dramas and mythologies, belonging to different religions seek.

Although the Jains built some beautiful temples at other places in Rajasthan but none come close to these in terms of architectural perfection. The ornamental detail spread over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels is simply marvellous and has to be seen to be believed.

Five Unique Temples of Dilwara

There are 5 temples in all, each with its own unique identity though together they are named after the small village in which they are located. These are:

Vimal Vasahi (Shri Adi Nathji temple)
Luna Vasahi (Shri Nemi Nathji temple)
Pithalhar (Shri Rishabh Deoji temple)
Khartar Vasahi (Shri Parshav Nathji temple)
Mahaveer Swami (Shri Mahaveer Swamiji temple)

The most famous of these are the Vimal Vasahi and Luna Vasahi temple.

Vimal Vasahi Temple
This temple carved entirely out of white marble was built in 1021 AD by Vimal Shah, a minister of Raja Bhimdeo. The temple is dedicated to the 1st Jain Tirthankara (teacher or guide) Adi Nath. The temple stands in an open courtyard surrounded by a corridor, which has numerous cells containing smaller idols of the Tiranthakaras. The richly carved corridors, pillars, arches, and 'mandaps' or porticoes of the temple are simply amazing. The ceilings feature engraved designs of lotus-buds, petals, flowers and scenes from Jain and Hindu mythology.

The Rang mandap is a grand hall supported by 12 decorated pillars and nicely carved out arches with a breathtaking central dome. On the pillars are carved female figurines playing musical instruments and 16 Vidhyadevis or the goddesses of knowledge each one holding her own symbol.

The Navchowki is a collection of nine rectangular ceilings, each one containing beautiful carvings of different designs supported on ornate pillars. The Gudh mandap is a simple hall once you step inside its heavily decorated doorway. Installed here is the idol of Adi Nath or Lord Rishabdev, as he is also known. The mandap is meant for 'Arti' to the deity. The Hastishala (Elephant Cell) was constructed by Prithvipal, a descendant of Vimal Shah in 1147-49 A.D and features a row of elephants in sculpture.

Luna Vasahi (Shri Nemi Nathji temple)
The Luna Vashi temple is dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara Shri Nemi Nathji. This magnificent temple was built in 1230 AD by two brothers - Vastupal and Tejpal - both ministers of a local ruler. The temple built in memory of their late brother Luna was designed after the Vimal Vashi temple. The main hall or Rang mandap features a central dome from which hangs a big ornamental pendent featuring elaborate carving. Arranged in a circular band are 72 figures of Tirthankaras in sitting posture and just below this band are 360 small figures of Jain monks in another circular band. The Hathishala or elephant cell features 10 beautiful marble elephants neatly polished and realistically modelled.

The Navchowki features some of the most magnificent and delicate marble stone cutting work of the temple. Each of the nine ceilings here seems to exceed the others in beauty and grace. The Gudh mandap features a black marble idol of the 22nd Jain Tirthankara Neminath. The Kirthi Stambha is a big black stone pillar that stands on the left side of the temple. The pillar was constructed by Maharana Kumbha of Mewar. The remaining three temples of Dilwara are smaller but just as elegant as the other two.

Pittalhar Temple
This temple was build by Bhima Shah, a minister of Sultan Begada of Ahmedabd. A massive metal statue of Rishab Dev (Adinath), cast in five metals is installed in the temple. The main metal used in this statue is 'Pital' (brass), hence the name 'Pittalhar'. The Shrine consists of a main Garbhagraha, Gudh mandap and Navchowki.

Parshavanath Temple
This temple, dedicated to Lord Parshavnath was built by Mandlik and his family in 1458-59 A.D. It consists of a three storied building, the tallest of all the shrines at Dilwara. On all the four faces of the sanctum on the ground floor are four big mandaps. The outer walls of the sanctum comprise of beautiful sculptures in gray sandstone, depicting Dikpals, Vidhyadevis, Yakshinis, Shalabhanjikas and other decorative sculptures comparable to the ones in Khajuraho and Konark.

Mahaveer Swami Temple
This is a small structure constructed in 1582 A.D. and dedicated to the 24th Jain Tirthankara, Lord Mahaveer. There are pictures on the upper walls of the porch painted in 1764 A.D. by the artists of Sirohi.

Khandagiri Caves
A few km west of Bhubaneswar city centre are two hills, facing each other, honeycombed with caves, most of which are numbered. One of them is the Khandagiri caves, situated on a hillside about 6-km from Bhubaneswar. Jain and Buddhist ascetics from the 1st century BC excavated the sandstone caves. The hills are literally filled with caves and over recent years the preservation of the rare carvings and general structure of the site has been the focus of a great deal of attention from the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Khandagiri Caves are reached via a steep path, which divides halfway up the hill. To the right is Ananta Cave with its carved figures of elephants, and women, which are worth a visit. Across the road just a few minutes walk leads to Khandagiri Caves. Here the Ananta Vasudev Cave , with its decorated pilasters and carved figures, is most interesting . A short but steep path leads to the top of the hill from where a panoramic view of the city is obtainable.

Khandagiri caves can be reached by going up the steps next to the entrance to the Udayagiri caves. If you climb these steps, when the path divides, take the right path and you come to Caves 1 and 2. They are known as the Parrot Caves because of the birds carved over the doorways. Return on the path for 30m and then climb some steps to the Ananta Cave (3), which has carvings of elephants, women, and a bird carrying flowers. It has the best sculptures of the Khandagiri Caves. You can then climb the hill, passing the Jain temples, and at the top, there is an 18th century temple dedicated to Mahavir, the 24th tirthankara (Jain teacher). From the temple there is a good view of Bhubaneswar, including the Lingaraja Temple.

Udaygiri Caves
One of the earliest of Jain rock-cut shelters, the caves of Udayagiri dominates a prime position in eastern India in the fields of history, rock-cut architecture, art and religion. Huge residential blocks for the Jain monks were carved out of the rocks at Udayagiri in the 1st century BC, in the city of Bhubaneswar. These caves were also an excellent canvas for the detailing of various achievements of King Kharavela's reign.

There are about 18 rock- hewn apartments at Udaygiri alone, with the Hati Gumpha or Elephant Cave, bearing the well-known inscriptions of the king. Both he and his queen appear to have been great patrons of the arts. In keeping with this patronage, the Queen's Cave is elaborately embellished with sculptural friezes and carvings of historical scenes and dancers in a variety of poses. The Ganesha Gumpha is well worth a visit. Khandagiri has also about 15 caves. Udaygiri or the Sunrise Hill has many interesting caves. The 117 line inscription of Hathi Gumpha is a magnification record in Pali Language of the exploits of King Kharvel (166 B.C.to 153B.C.). These 4 caves were built mainly for the Jain monks.

There is an elephant in front and a carving of Ganesh on the right side of the back wall. You can then go up the hill to the top from where there is a good view of the surrounding area. The central Hathi Gumpha (Elephant Cave) is especially interesting. It has an inscription in the ancient language of Magadhi describing the history of King Kharavela, who funded the carving of some of the caves.