Dilwara Jain temples- mount Abu was an important Vaishnava and Shaivite pilgrim Centre to the 11th century. Today it is recognized the world for its magnificent Jain temples. No visit to Abu can be complete without a trip to the famed Dilwara temples. These temples are the greatest row of Abu, apart from its salubrious climb. Half eaten by mango grooves, their sober belies the wealth of their interior ornamentation. One directly carbon marble, temples, and Shirin various Jain Tirthankaras.
The celebrated and World famous Jain temples which have excellent specimens of sculpture- are situated at Dilwara, a village about 3 kilometers from the town. This delicately carved exquisite temples in marble are very old of 11th and 12th centuries and have rightly been called a dream in marble on account of their unbelievable perfection of architect and find designs. It is art at its best, and one is not that these are the work of the human hand. In whole India, except the Taj Mahal of Agra, there is no 1 equal to these temples are regards sculptures art.
These temples are built of pure white marble lacs of rupees well spent in bringing this Marbles on this Hill ranges. Not only the Jain temple but the followers of all the regions and the castes, as well as lovers of scripture, do not go without appreciating the art. Sings temples the ex-Prime Minister Late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri had marked" I do not think that any Indian should miss paying a visit to these temples, which among the height of this country".
Dilwara temples are a composite cluster of five temples,1. Vimal Vaseeh, 2. Loon Vaseeh, 3. Shri Rishab Deoji, 4.Shri Parshawanathji, young 5. Shri Mahavir Swamiji, the first to be the most popular on account of exuberant ornamentation and details of marble carvings. Col. Todd stated that the beauty of two temples is unworldly and unique, which is incompatible even to each other.
Vimal Vaseeh:- The Vimal Vaseeh temple is dedicated to Lord Shri Adinathji the first Jain Tirthankara. This is the oldest temple was built in 1030 A.D. By Vimal Shah, minister of Solanki ruler of Gujarat. In getting it built a sum of rupees 18 crore and 53 lacs well spent 1500 sculptures and 1200 laborers work very hard for continuously 14 full hours to complete this beautiful temple. A great deal of art treasure of the temples was destroyed by Muslim Invaders. Some renovations were done in 1327 A.D. by two donors, Lull and Beejad but not of the perfection of the original Masterpiece work. For this spot, it is famous that to acquire this land hi spreader as many gold coins as it required to cover the particular land as its cost and total rupees 4 crores 53 lakh. The interior of the Dome is intricately carved out into 11 concentric and projecting rings giving it up pendant form. It is exclusively decorated with delicately carved human and animal effigies so much so that they seem to come to life at any moment. On the ceiling of the corridor are carved the various mythical scenes like Kaliya Marden by Lord Krishna, Narsingh Avtar, Hiranya Kashyap kill, Panchkalayanak, Swan seated Saraswati, Elephant seated Lakshmi, Swan and Peacock seated Vidhyadhar etc.
In this Temple statue of Lord Adinathji built of pure black stone stands. This is said to be self-made and came out of the earth below the" Peeple Tree" seeing this statue, the whole temple was erected. Amba Devi shrine, in the Southwest of the quadrangle, is believed to be older than the temple itself.
On the right side of the entrance of this beautiful temple is the Hasthishala in which 10 marble elephants are there near the door of which there is an idol of Seth Vimal Shah. This elephant award in Dilwara is worth mentioning and seeing.
Loon Vaseeh:- the next important Temple here is Loon Vaseeh, which was built in 1231A.D. Buy two brothers Vastupal and Tejpal, ministers of Gujarat king Veerdhavala in the memory of there diseased eldest brother Looniga, and named after him. Although the temple is little smaller than Vimal Vaseeh and was built at the cost of rupees 12.53 million only, it is far more in perfection and refinement then Vimal Vaseeh. The pattern of arrangement orthocentre and statues is almost similar to Vimal Vaseeh. The door casings, friezes, architraves, pillars, the sculptures of porticos astonishing in their workmanship. It is dedicated to Lord Neminath the 22nd Tirthankara of Jain. Outside the main door of the chief Temple- abode in "Nav Chaui" here are two shelves (gokhlas) on both the sides of the door, which are called Devrani and Jeethani gokhlas. In the election of this beautiful gokhlas, expenditure of one and quarter lakh was incurred and is evidently justified from their sculpture art. The cellar pagodas, dome, pillars etc. Are all delectably detailed in carvings including floral designs, animals, birds and also various activities of life like commerce, navigation, pastures, mythical scenes, and Saint etc. The Hasthishala obvious art full temple is Greater and beautiful than that of Vimal Vaseeh and also has 10 sections each with a marble elephant, statues of Vastupal and Tejpal with their wives and relatives.
Reward in the form of silver and gold equivalent to the weight of marble covered, where offered to the laborers. A great deal of inspiration, devotion, and encouragement was involved in the construction of this Temple. The most striking future of this Temple built in Solanki style of architecture is the marble pendant in the Dome of the porch. Drops from the ceiling like an enchanting cluster of half-open lotuses with Cup so finely carved that they appear to be transparent.
Shri Rishabh Devji Temple:- it is dedicated to Rishabh DevJi, first Jain Tirthankar and was built by Bheem Saha but the installation of Statue was got done by Sunder and Nanda, ministers of Sultan Mohammed Begda of Ahmedabad in the 14th century. It is also called Pittalhar Temple as it is enshrining a message brass statue of about 4.32 quintal weight.
Chaumukhaji Temple:- it is a three-storied beautiful temple which is dedicated to 23rd Jain Tirthankar Lord Parshwanathji. It has a four-faced Idol hence it is called Chaumukhaji temple. It is also sometimes called Khartar Vaseeh after the belief that it was built by some Sarawak (Jain devotee) of Kharatargachchh. It contains some excellent marble columns and reliefs and is said to have built in their spare time for no extra payment by the masons and artisans who built Loon Vaseeh and Vimal Vaseeh. The dating of the temple is uncertain but none the less has the befitting refinement of Dilwara temples aesthetic art as seen in the attractive statues and designs.
Shri Mahavir Swamiji Temple:- it is the smallest Temple at Dilwara group of temples and situated near the Chaumukha temple. It is dedicated to the last Jain Tirthankar Lord Mahavir Swamiji so called after him as Mahavir Swamiji Temple.
In addition to this, there is also a temple which belongs to Digambar Jain a set of genes who regard nudity as the indispensable sign of holiness. This sect of Jain, have no attraction towards any wordly matter.All their actions and thoughts are centered towards the enlightenment and God the supreme.
All the visitors are allowed to visit these temples. But no one is allowed to take eatables, drinks, sticks, arms or shoes, leather goods within the outer walls which enclose the temples. Smoking in the temple is strictly prohibited. Even shooting pictures is not allowed.