The Dilwara Temples, popularly known as ‘Delvada Temples’ are some of the finest Jain Temples known all over the world for their incredible architecture and marvellous marble and stone carvings, having them acquire a superiority over Taj Mahal in the field of architecture by some experts. These temples are situated around 2.5 km from Mount Abu, the only hill station of Rajasthan situated in the Sirohi district. Built between the 11th and 16th centuries AD, these temples are made up of white marble quarried from Arasur Hills near Ambaji in Banaskantha district, Gujarat, which represents the Maru-Gurjara architecture. Managed by Seth Shri Kalyanji Anandji Pedhi, Sirohi, the five temples are:
- Vimal Vasahi Temple
- Luna Vasahi Temple
- Pittalhar Temple
- Shri Parshvanatha Temple
- Shri Mahaveer Swami Temple
All the five temples are bounded by a single high walled compound, out of which Vimal Vasahi and Luna Vasahi temples are the most famous ones. The temples got their name from the small village of Dilwara or Delvada in which they are situated.
Vimal Vasahi Temple
Dedicated to Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara of Jain Dharma, the Vimal Vasahi or Adinatha Temple was built around 1032 A.D. by Vimal Shah, a minister of Chaulukya King of Gujarat, Bhima I. The shrine stands in an open courtyard surrounded by a corridor, which has numerous chambers containing small idols of the tirthankaras. The carved corridors, pillars and ‘mandaps’ depicts the richness of the architecture. The outer mandapa is an addition of the 12th Century. The ceilings feature engraved designs of lotus buds, petals, flowers and kathas from Jain Ithihas.
There are 59 devakulikas (small temples) facing the principal deity Rishabhanatha’s idol. There are 7 additional chambers out of which 1 house image of Maa Ambaji and 2 of them have images of Munisuvrata-the twentieth Tirthankara of Jain Dharma installed into it. The mulnayak idol of Rishabhnathaji is carved with several deities and images of 4 tirthankaras giving the idol name, Saparikar Panchtirthi.
A collection of nine rectangular ceilings called Navchowki brings special attraction to this temple with each one containing different designs and carvings supported on ornate pillars. The Gudh Mandap houses two idols of Lord Parshvanatha in the Kayotsarga position, where aarti is performed daily according to the rituals of Jainism. The Hastishala is an elephant courtyard constructed by Prithvipal, a descendant of Vimal Shah in 1147-49 and features a sculpture showing a row of elephants with the members of the family riding them.
Luna Vasahi Temple
The Luna Vasahi Temple is a temple dedicated to Neminatha– the 22nd tirthankara of Jainism. This shrine was built by the Porwad brothers – Vastupal and Tejpal, both of who served as ministers of Maharaj Virdhaval, the Vaghela ruler of Gujarat in the year 1230 A.D. It was architecturally inspired by Vimal Vasahi Temple with greater innovations and was built in the memory of Vastupal and Tejpal’s late brother Lunig.
The Rang Mandap which is the main hall features a central dome from which hangs a big ornamental pendant that has marvellous carving depicting the history of Jainism. There are 72 figures of Tirthankars in sitting posture and just below that are 360 small figures of Jain monks, both of them arranged in circular order. One of the major attractions of this shrine is the niches of the wife of Vastupal and Tejpal, locally popular as Derani and Jethani, with the image of Maa Lakshmi with them. There are sculptures of Sambhavanatha – the third Jain tirthankara and Shantinatha – the sixteenth Jain tirthankara in the complex.
The temple ceilings depict the life scenes of the principal deity, Shri Neminathaji with images of Rajmathi (who was to marry Neminatha) and Krishna. The Kirthi Stambha is a big black stone pillar that stands on the left side of the temple, which was constructed by Maharana Kumbha of Mewar. The carvings of devkulikas and Chakreshvari in the ceiling of the temple is also worth watching.
