India’s Jainism Architecture

Jainism is one of the most ancient religions of the world; it originated in India. Millions of people across the globe still practice Jainism. People who are followers of Jainism believe that their faith has descended upon them through a series of spiritual teachers known as the Tirthankaras who possessed special spiritual powers. The name of the first Tirthankara was Rishabhanatha. Lord Mahavira was the last or 24th Tirthankara who was responsible for orienting and shaping Jainism into its present form. Ahimsa or non-violence is the key principle of Jainism. 

Jainism Architecture 

Jains were prolific builders like the Hindus and the Jain architecture found throughout India.

Jain architecture is denoted by rich sculptural decoration with deep undercutting, giving it a lace-like appearance.

The Jain temples are famous for their unique patterns on every ceiling and graceful bracket figures along the domed ceilings.

Important Sites:

Mount Abu: The Jain temples were built by Vimal Shah at Mount Abu. These have a simplistic exterior in contrast with the exuberant marble interiors.

Lord Bahubali, Gomateshwara, Karnataka

• The famous statue of Gomateshwara is located at Shravanabelagola.
• It is the world’s tallest monolithic free-status structure.
• Camundaraya, the General-in-Chief and Prime Minister of the Ganga Kings of Mysore, commissioned it.

Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram is an important town along the sea on the coasts from the period of the Pallavas. It is dotted with several important rocky and independent Jain temples built mostly in the 7th and 8th centuries.                        

• It is one of the largest and oldest known sculptural panels in the world. The height of the panel is 15 metres and its length is 30 metres.
• The natural cleft in the rock has been used by its sculptors as a channel for water to flow down. This water is collected in a massive tank in front of the sculpted wall.
• Scholars have interpreted the story depicted on the panel differently:
• It is the tale of the descent of Ganga from heaven to earth.
• The story is of Kiratarjuniya or Arjuna’s penance, a work by Pallava court poet Bharvi.
• The whole painting was created to be a prashasti or something to praise King Pallava.

Characteristics:

A temple has been given prominence withinside the relief. All the figures are shown as slender and linear and in an animated state of movement. This temple is a very good example of Jain architecture.

Themes:

Apart from humans and flying celestials, there are several naturalistically carved birds and animals as well, which are made in the Jain temples. Particularly noteworthy are the remarkably well-modelled and realistic elephants and the pair of deer that can be found under the sanctuary.

The most humorous is a cat, surrounded by rats; the cat has been shown standing on its hind legs, with its hands raised. Perhaps this is a metaphor used by the artist to show the strong penance of Arjuna or Bhagirath.

The theme of Ravana Shaking Mount Kailash, Ellora

The theme of Ravana shaking Mount Kailash has been depicted repeatedly in the Ellora Caves. Ellora is also one of the Jain pilgrimage sites, which has been a popular spot of tourist attraction.

• Most noteworthy is on the left wall of Kailashnath temple (Cave No. 16) at Ellora.
• It is dated to the eighth century CE.
• The composition is divided into :

The lower tier depicts Ravana, multifaceted and multi armed, shaking the mount with ease. The intensity of the carvings of more than one finger brings out the impact of 3-dimensional space.

Ravana’s body is angular with one leg pushed inwards and the hands spread to the sides of the inner chamber.

The upper half is divided into three frames. The centre is occupied by the image of Shiva and Parvati. Parvati is shown to shift closer to Shiva, scared because of the commotion at the hill. The volume of the sculpture is very pronounced. The attendant figures are equally voluminous. The gana (dwarf) figures are shown in action, worried about their activities.

Every image in the composition is structurally interwoven with the others.

Bihar: It has the oldest Jain pilgrimage sites. Many are also famous for early Buddhist shrines.

Deccan: Most remarkable sites are found in Ellora and Aihole.

Central India: Deogarh, Khajuraho, Chanderi, and Gwalior.

These structures and temples define the Jain temple architecture, the way they expressed their culture through paintings, rock cutting, carvings etc.

Conclusion:- 

Jainism originated millions of years ago here in India. Lord Mahavir was the last prophetic soul of recent times. He attained enlightenment and could free his soul with sincere and persistent efforts. Jain architecture coexisted with Hindu temple architecture during the ancient and medieval periods. These architectural monuments play an important role in the evolution of temple architecture in India. Jain temples can be found all over India, except in the hilly areas.