Jain Temples

Jain Temples

Out of a pair of Jain temples, one is committed to Adinath (the first Tirthankara) and other built to honour Shantinath (the sixteenth ). The quality and quantity of the murals on the walls, ceilings and pillars of the temple are extraordinary. Hazy yellows, greens, pinks, oranges and blues depict a riot of flowers, people, Gods and domestic objects, while tableaux tell the life stories of Jain saints.

The most fabulous of the two, Shantinath Mandir, is a maze of brightly colored columns, each section of roof between them highlighted with individual designs. The marble floor beneath is emblazoned with distinctive Jain patterns in yellow, black, white and red. Above the major sanctuary, a huge dome rises in a series of concentric circles glinting with gold. The outer side of the large arena over Adinath Mandir is inlaid with gold and colored mosaic, and both Temples have cupolas enriched with zplan of mirrors above the entrance porch.