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Places to See in India - Dilwara Temple, Mount Abu, Rajasthan

by: Meenakshi

One of the very popular temples for its artistic work in the state of Rajasthan is the Dilwara Temple. The temple is located in Mount Abu, which happens to be a highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan and a famous tourist spot as a hill station. The Hill station is well connected to rest of the state that you can reach here from any city of Rajasthan. Mount Abu is at times a very populated tourist spot because it is the only hill station in the state of Rajasthan.

Dilwara Temple is a Jain temple which is just 2.5 Km away from Mount Abu. Frequent Bus and Taxi services ply from Mount Abu railway station to Dilwara temple. The Temple was build by Chalukya between 11th and 13th century and is dedicated to Adinath, Rishabh Dev, Neminath, Mahavir Swami and Parshvanath Ji. The most admirable things about this temple are the striking use of marble, clean and calm surroundings, the intricate carvings on marble ceilings and pillars.

Image credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/81/Delwada.jpg

The premises include five temples of Dilwara and are the sacred pilgrimage site of Jains all over the world. All these temples are simple yet attractive. These temples are considered the most beautiful Jain temples around the world. The minute carving on pillars, ceilings, doorways, panels and truly amazing and worth admiring.

Image credit: http://thefamoustouristdestinations.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/mount-abu-dilwara.jpg

The Five Temples are:

Vimal Vasahi (Shri Adi Nathji temple) dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar lord Rishabh.

Luna Vasahi (Shri Neminathji temple) dedicated to the 22nd Jain Tirthankar lord Neminatha.

Pithalhar (Shri Rishabha Devji temple) dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar lord Rishabh.

Khartar Vasahi (Shri Parshva Nathji temple) dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankar lord Parshva.

Mahavir Swami (Shri Mahavir Swamiji temple) dedicated to the last Jain Tirthankar lord Mahavir.

The sheer size and grandeur of Vimal Vasahi and Luna Vasahi attract more tourists as compared to other three temples.

Image credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3d/LDDilwaraCeiling.jpg

Vimal Vasahi Temple: The temple is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar, Lord Adinath. Solanki Maharaja of Gujarat, Raja Vimal Shah, built the temple in the year 1021. The main attraction of this temple is the Rang Mandap, a large hall that contains twelve ornamented pillars. Another attracting assortment of the temple is the nine rectangular carved ceilings also known as Navachowki.

Image credit: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/423252739_dd166cd1a1_b.jpg

Luna Vasahi Temple: Another important temple of the five is the Luna Vasahi Temple. The temple is dedicated to the 22nd Jain Tirthankara, Lord Neminath. Luna Vasahi temple was built in 1230. The mentionable feature of the temple is the 72 figures of Tirthankars that are positioned in a circular band in the central dome. Another interesting attraction of the temple is the Kirti Stambha, a pillar made out of black stone.

Image credit: http://www.abbeville.com/images-catalog/full-size/0789208695.interior06.jpg

Pittalhar Temple : It is dedicated to first Jain Tirthankar, Lord Rishabdeo. Inside the temple is a huge image of Lord Rishabhdeo built by Bhima Seth. The image is made with panch dhaatu (five metals) of which Brass (Pital) is in the major composition. Thus, the name of the temple is Pittalhar. The Navachowki and Gudh Mandap are the common features like Vimal Vasahi and Luna Vasahi temple.

Image credit: http://www.indiapicks.com/annapurna/D_Dilwara_Temple.jpg

Khartar Vasahi Temple: The Parshavanath Temple is the tallest of all five Dilwara Temples and was built in 1459 by Mandalik. The three storey building is the temple is Lord Parshavanath, the 23rd Tirthankar. The intricate carving on ceilings, pillars walls and doorways is the common feature here as well.

Image credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/78/LDDilwaraDoor.jpg

Mahavir Swami Temple : The temple is dedicated t Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar. It was built in the year 1582 and consists of various pictures carven on marble ceilings.

Image credit: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1184/1059164327_3bdaf55cd9.jpg