Monday, March 18, 2013

Jain Temples, Jaisalmer

Within the Golden Fort walls in Jaisalmer, there are seven beautifully carved Jain Temples built between the 12th and 15th centuries. The cluster of temples is connected by a series of corridors and walkways. 



The first temple you come around is the one dedicated to Chandraprabhu, the eighth tirthankar (Jain Teacher), whose symbol is the moon. It was built in 1509 and features fine sandstone sculpture in sandstone in Mandapa.


To the right of the Chandraprabhu Temple is Rikhabdev Temple. There are some fine sculptures around the walls protected by glass cabinets, and the pillars are beautifully sculpted with apsaras and gods. This temple has a lovely and tranquil atmosphere.



There is a temple dedicated to Parasnath, a few steps behind Chandraprabhu. Entry is via an enormous and beautifully carved torana (Gateway) that culminates the image of the Jain tirthankara its apex. 



A door to the south side of the temple leads to the small Shitalnath Temple, dedicated to the 10th tinrthankar. The image of Shitalnath enshrined here is composed of eight precious metals. A door in the north wall leads to the beautiful Sambhavnath Temple.



Steps lead from the courtyard before the Sambhavnath temple to the Shantinath Temple, which was built in 1536. The enclosed gallery around the temple is flanked by hundreds of images of saints, some of marble and some of Jaisalmer sandstone. Steps lead below the temple to Kunthunath Temple, which was also built in 1536.



The sculptures here around the temple are carved out with great finesse. Each sculpture outdoes the other in every possible way.

46 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Rajesh, your temples are beautiful. Lovely photos!

Regina said...

Awesome place!

Have a nice week.

Cloudia said...

Thank You



ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

So delicate and beautiful. Your last sentence really says it all...each sculpture does outdo the last one..I am, as so often here, in awe!

Gayle said...

How lovely! I appreciated getting see photos of a place I have never been.

Al said...

Finesse is the right word, there's so much detail in these sculptures.

Shoshana said...

The intricate details of the columns and structures are simply wonderful. It is breath-taking.

My MMM's

J said...

What wonderful architecture and beautiful carvings. You show off your country very well in your photos.

SandyCarlson said...

What an incredible, impressive place!

Panchali said...

Amazing carvings, what finesse!!! And classic shots, Rajesh!! Thanks

The Mukhtiars said...

beautiful clicks

Lowell said...

These are all magnificent and it's nice that they are connected so you can see them without a lot of extra trouble.

Anonymous said...

Always amazing to me the buildings and work on them in your country ~ beautiful! ~ Enjoy ^_^

Unknown said...

Again such stunning carvings. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Jannibele said...

So nice to see photos from beautiful and historical Jaisalmer. I recognize it from my trip to India and Rajasthan in 1992. You brought back so many good memories!

Sylvia K said...

Magnificent temple and incredible carvings/sculpture, Rajesh! Thanks for sharing! Your photos are superb!!

Randi said...

Terrific captures of the amazing sculptures!!!

Linda Kittmer said...

The detail in those carvings is incredible. I can't even imagine the time that goes into those beautiful buildings!

Leovi said...


Wonderful! I like these sculptures! Beautiful

Carver said...

I like how delicate the carvings in the top shots are. They almost look like lace. All the shots are great.

Sridharan said...

Great architecture.. Wonderful pictures..

eastcoastlife said...

Wow, the sculptures are too beautiful! Would love to visit one day.

Anonymous said...

What wonderfully decorative columns and temple!

Ebie said...

Simply amazing architecture and rich in history!

Fun60 said...

The scultures are breathtaking. A true work of art.

Jeevan said...

These temples look like a gem of architecture and design! Completely fascinating details and fact.

w0rkingAth0mE said...

Amazing, i like the sculptures around the walls. Have time to visit http://www.mekyla.com/red-dress-white-shoes-and-red-rabbit-headband-for-recognition-day/

Anonymous said...

another great post for 'J" and fantastic photography of beautiful temples ~ I only hope the country takes as good care of their peoples as they do their temples ~ same with my country USA ~ people are what is important ~ not 'stuff' ~ namaste, ^_^

Richard Lawry said...

The carving is amazing. Thanks for sharing these awesome photos

An Arkies Musings

Unknown said...

Incredibly beautiful. I can't imagine the hours of work it must have taken to carve all of that stone. Why don't we do this anymore?

R Niranjan Das said...

Nice shots.

www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

Roger Owen Green said...

JUST enchanting!
ROG, ABCW

photowannabe said...

I know I say this for every post but the architecture is simply amazing.

Unknown said...

the details are stunning! amazing works of art.

J is for...

Leslie: said...

I am always so amazed at the intricate detailing in the architecture! Fabulous!

Leslie
abcw team

Oakland Daily Photo said...

The intricate facades are amazing to behold.

Sudhir R said...

Unbelievable Sculptures these!

Irene said...

Stunning shots! The art and architecture are amazing!

Irene

Rajesh said...

Thank you all for appreciating the sculptural temple.

Joy said...

Buildings of sandstone are beautiful things, and this one has stunning carvings to add to the beauty.

MaiThreeBoyz said...

amazing artistry and architecture!

Meoww said...

Lovely lovely sculptures! What a grand country we are from. So proud!

Reader Wil said...

Amazing to see this kind of architecture with so beautifully carved decorations! Thanks for the tour.
Wil, ABCW Team.

RIZALENIO said...

Enigmatic as always. Wow!

Chubskulit Rose said...

I love the details on the gateway.

Catching up (again) with this week's entries.
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Nima Das said...

beautiful pictures clicked