The magnificent Dilwara Jain Temples are located about 2.5 km from Mt. Abu, a picturesque hill resort in southern Rajasthan. Mount Abu is the only hill station of Rajasthan and is located at an altitude of 1220 metres above sea level. Mt. Abu is a part of the Aravali range. The profusely carved Dilwara temples are popular for their beautiful artistic work and marvelous marble stone carvings. These temples are a famous pilgrimage site for the followers of Jainism. Every year thousands of tourists as well as devotees visit these magnificent temples.
These temples which are considered to be masterpieces of temple architecture were built between 11th to 13th century AD. The temples are renowned for the spectacular use of marble in their construction. The exterior is starkly plain but the interior is far more magnificent with carved ceilings, entryways, pillars and panels. There are five temples in the gigantic temple complex namely Vimal Vasahi (Shri Adi Nathji temple), Luna Vasahi (Shri Nemi Nathji temple), Pithalhar (Shri Rishabh Deoji temple), Khartar Vasahi (Shri Parshav Nathji temple) and Mahaveer Swami (Shri Mahaveer Swamiji temple) are the temples. The most famous of these are the Vimal Vasahi and Luna Vasahi temple.
Vimal Vashi Temple
This is one of the main Dilwara temple which is dedicated to Adinathji who was the first Tirthankar of the Jains. It is the oldest temple and is a superb example of Jain architecture. The temple was built by the commander Vimalshah on the order of King Bhimdev, Solanki ruler of Gujarat in 1031 A.D. The temple was constructed out of white marble that was brought from Arasoori Hill some 23kms away from Mount Abu. It is said that it took 1500 sculptors and 1200 labourers and fourteen years to complete the temple. The temple has a sanctum, a Gudha Mandap, Navchowki, Rang Mandap and a circumambulatory corridor having 57 cells. The temple has a large courtyard with numerous small shrines, each housing a beautiful statue of a tirathankar with 48 elegantly carved pillars from the entrance to the courtyard. The ceilings of this temple are adorned with designs of lotus-buds, petals, flowers and scenes from Jain and Hindu mythology. The Rang mandap is a huge hall supported by 12 ornamented pillars and beautifully carved out arches with a breath taking central dome. The pillars are festooned with carved female figurines playing musical instruments and 16 Vidhyadevis or the goddesses of knowledge each one holding her own symbol. The Navchowki is an assortment of nine rectangular ceilings and each one containing beautiful carvings of different designs supported on ornate pillars. The temple also has the "Guda Mandapa" - a simple hall decorated with the images of Shri Adi Nath or Lord Rishabdev, as he is also known. The Hastishala (Elephant Cell) features a row of sculpted elephants.
Luna Vasahi Temple
This is the second most important temple amongst the temples of Dilwara. Luna Vasahi Temple is dedicated to Lord Neminath, the 22nd Jain Tirthankara Lord. It was built in 1231 AD by two brothers Vastupal and Tejpal – ministers of Raja Virdhavala another ruler of Gujarat. The main hall or Rang mandap has a central dome from which hangs a big ornamental pendent which drops from the ceiling like a cluster of half open lotus. The ceiling is adorned with magnificently carved figures of dancers, animals, mythological figures and processions of horsemen. There are 72 figures of Tirthankaras in sitting posture arranged in a circular band and just below this band are 360 small figures of Jain monks in another circular band. The Hathishala or elephant cell features 10 beautifully sculpted marble elephants. The Navchowki also features magnificent and delicate marble stone cutting work. The Gudh mandap has a black marble idol of the 22nd Jain Tirthankara Neminath. There are 39 cells each of which contains one or more images. The ceiling in front of the cell is profusely ornamented. The relief in the porticos of the cell portrays important scenes from the life of Neminath. The Kirthi Stambha is a big black stone pillar that stands on the left temple. The pillar was constructed by Maharana Kumbha of Mewar.
Pittalhar Temple
Pittalhar Temple is dedicated to Lord Rishabdeo and was built by Bhima Shah. The temple enshrines a huge metal statue of Rishab Dev(Adinath) which is cast in five metals. Since most of the statues are built using ‘Pittal’ (Brass Metal) hence the name Pittalhar. The Shrine consists of a main Garbhagriha, Gudh mandap and Navchowki.
Parshvanath Temple
This temple is dedicated to 23rd Jain Trithankara Lord Parshvanatha. Parsvnath Temple has the tallest shikhara amongst all the five temples of Dilwara. It was constructed by Mandika clan between the years 1458-1459 AD. It is a three storied building and on the ground floor one can find four huge mandaps on all the four sides of the sanctum. The outer walls of the temple are adorned with beautiful sculptures in gray sandstone. The temple is also known as the Khartar Vashi temple.
Mahavir Swami Temple
Mahavir Swami Temple is a small structure that is dedicated to Lord Mahavir, the 24th Jain Tirthankara Lord. It was built in 1582 and the temple showcases several pictures painted by artists from Sirohi on the upper walls of the porch in 1764 AD. The Dilwara Jain Temples are open for devotees from 12 P.M. to 3 P.M. and photography is not allowed inside the temple complex.
How to reach Dilwara Temples
Dilwara Temple is just few minutes away from the city and visitors can easily reach the temple from Mount Abu by bus services and taxis. The closest airport is Udaipur which is about 185 km from Mount Abu. The nearest railway station is Abu Road which is 29 km away. Mt. Abu is well connected by road with almost all the major cities of the country. Abu Road is connected to both Ahmedabad and Jodhpur. Ahmedabad is 222 km via Palanpur and Jodhpur is 264 km via Pali and Sirohi.