jain architecture

1. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
Jain Architecture

2. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
Jainism traditionally known as Jain dharma,is an ancient Indian
religion belonging to the śramaṇa tradition.
It prescribes ahimsa towards all living beings.
The three main teachings of Jainism are ahimsa(non-
violence), anekantavada (non-
absolutism), aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
Followers of Jainism take five main vows :ahimsa, satya (not
lying), asteya (non stealing), brahmacharya (chastity),
and aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
Self-discipline and asceticism are thus major focuses of Jainism.
JAINISM

3. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
The word "Jain" derives from the Sanskrit
word jina (conqueror). A human being who has conquered all
inner passions like attachment, desire, anger, pride, greed, etc. is
called Jina.
Jains trace their history through a succession of twenty-four
teachers and revivers of the Jain path known as tirthankaras.
Practitioners believe non-violence and self-control are the
means to liberation.
Mahatma Gandhi was greatly influenced by Jainism and
adopted many Jain principles in his life.

4. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
JAIN ARCHITECTURE
 Jain Architecture is the off shoot of Hindu and Buddhist style.
 In the initial years, many Jain temples were made adjoining the
Buddhist temples following the Buddhist rock cut style.
 Initially these temples were mainly carved out of rock faces
 The use of bricks was almost negligible.
 The system of carving out temples from rock faces was
adopted.
 However, in the later years Jain started building temple-cities
on hills based on the concept of mountains of immortality

5. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
An important aspect to be noted is that
• Hindu and Buddhist built temples.
• Jains built temple cities on hills.
 The only variation in architecture specific to Jain temple is
frequently seen four faced or Chaumukh design.
 Entry into these temples is also from four doors that face the
cardinal directions.

6. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
 Jain temples have
numerous pillars having a
well designed structure,
forming squares.
 The squares thus formed
create chambers, used as
small chapels and
contains the image of the
deity.
 From these pillars, were richly carved brackets that emerges
at about two third of their height.

7. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
ELEMENTS OF ARCHITECTURE
 In these four faced temple, the image of Tirthankar faces back to
back to face for cardinal directions.

8. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
 All the columns were
arranged in squares.
 Whenever it was intended
to have a dome, pillars
were omitted, so as to
leave spaces in the form of
octagons.
 The roof of these temples
have pointy domes.

9. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
EARLY JAIN PERIOD:ROCK CUT CAVES AT BADAMI,
Bagalkot district in northern part of Karnataka
The Badami Cave Temples are composed of four caves, all
carved out of the soft Badami sandstone on a hill cliff in the
late 6th century.
The four caves are simple in style.
The entrance is a verandah with stone columns and
brackets, a distinctive feature of these caves, leading to a
columned mantapa and then to the small square shrine
(sanctum sanctorum) cut deep into the cave.
The temple caves represent different religious sects. The
fourth cave is the only Jain temple at Badami.

10. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
The cave enshrines a number of statues of the Jain
Tirthankaras in different postures. While Mahavira, the 24th
Tirthankara, is depicted in a sitting posture, Tirthankara
Parshwanatha is carved with a serpent at his feet.

11. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
INTERIOR LAYOUT OF TEMPLE
• The exits of Jain temples lead
into series of columned
chambers into central hall of
the temple.
• These columns, standing
around for no apparent
purpose, might make the place
seem like mindless labyrinth.
• But on closer study it becomes
evident that there is a style
and method in it.

12. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
JAIN ARCHITECTURE
 Divided into sanctums and
surrounded by a range of
chapels and shrines, and the
maze of columns act as a
defense against plunderers.
 The pointed spires above each
dome is different, yet it
signifies the position of a
chapel, hall or any other
chamber inside.

13. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
ADINATH TEMPLE RANAKPUR
 Ranakpur is located in the mountain ranges of Pali district, Rajasthan
 The Adinath temple of Ranakpur is also named Dharma Vihara temple
after its builder.
 It stands on a basement of 60m X 62m which holds it strongly.

14. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
• The Ranakpur temple is built in white marble and the main
chamber is supported by finely carved columns ,totaling ,1444 in
all.
• On top of flight of stairs at the central entrance, there is a
Balanaka (Entrance hall) which has a dome roof.
 A large no. of columns are carved elaborately .
 At a space that penetrates through two to three stories, various
heights of domes are placed, and their ceilings have sculptures
that are unbelievably intricate.

15. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
 Light is abundantly coming inside through gaps between ceilings
and from courtyards, highlighting the intertwined spaces and
fine carvings all around.
 The splendor space is so pure as the entire temple from the
floors to the ceilings is made of white marble.
 Central main shrine is called Mula-Prasada,” Its interior is
Garbagriha” sanctum. Four "Ranga-mandapas“ (A), assembly hall in front of four
portals of the main shrine.
 Each Ranga-mandapa connects with three storied "Meghanada-
mandapa"
 B, high hall in front.

16. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
 Having four "Mahadara-
prasada" (two faced shrine)
diagonally in four directions
of the main shrine, the
temple type is
"Panchayatana" (five
shrined type).
 In addition to this, there are two "Bhadra-prasada" on
east and west sides, making the total composition much
more intricate

17. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
DILWARA JAIN TEMPLE

18. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
• The temples at Mount Abu were constructed between 800 AD
and 1200 AD
• The famous Dilwara Jain temples are located about 2.5 km
away from Mount Abu.
• The Dilwara Jain temples were dedicated to the Jain
Tirthankars and also served as storehouses of illustrated
manuscripts and treatises.
• Dilwara Jain Temple is one of the finest Jain temple known
world over for its extraordinary architecture and marvelous
marble stone carvings.
DILWARA JAIN TEMPLE

19. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17

20. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
VIMALA VASHI TEMPLE
 The first Jain temple of Dilwara, the
Vimala Vasahi was built in 1032 A D by
Vimala Shah.
 It seems fairly basic temple from
outside.
 But its interior showcases the
extraordinary work of human
craftsmanship at its best.

21. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
 The Vimal Vashi temple was built in 1032 AD and is
dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Adinath.
 The temple was constructed under supervision of Vimal
Shah, minister of a local Rajput ruler, Raja Bim Deo.
• It stands in pillared courtyard surrounded by 58 cells or
kulikas, which contain small icons of the image in the main
shrine.
• In the main shrine is the gold-brass caste image of Adinath
placed in the Gudh Mandap.

22. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
The length of the temple is 98 feet and the width is 42 feet.
The main shrine and the front of the cells are surrounded by
elaborate columns.
The temple is carved out of white marble.
The ceiling is decorated with engraved designs of lotus-buds,
petals, flowers and scenes from Jain and Hindu mythology.

23. Ar. Hena Tiwari/Asstt. Prof./ GCAD 2016-17
JAIN COLUMN
The column has a wide spreading base.
The shaft exhibits great variety of design.
They were square at base but were changed to circular section
crossed by lateral bands at regular interval.
At the top is a capital usually a fluted vase-motif.
It supported wide square abacus.
The corners of the abacus were supported by figures of humans
& floral pattern.