This presentation is prepared for the BA students to get basic and general information on the subject. This presentation is incomplete and students advised to get the further and proper information from subjective and recommended books and research articles.

1. Abu Temples:
Vimalavasahi and
Lunavasahi
Dr.Virag Sontakke
Assistant Professor
A.I.H.C. & Archaeology
Banaras Hindu University,Varanasi

2. Abu Temples:
Vimalavasahi and
Lunavasahi

3. Background
• Abu temples are popularly known as Dilwara Temples of
Rajasthan.
• These temples are significant for their artistic work.
• These are group of Jain temple located in Mount Abu in
Rajasthan.
• They constructed between the 11th to 13th centuries CE.
• These temples are constructed by Marble and has intricate
carvings.
• The place was known in the ancient times as
Devalapataka or Devakulapataka (A city of group of
temples).

4. Introduction
• In the huge temple complex there are five
important shrines:
1. Vimla Vasahi temple: 1st Tirthankara Rishabnath
2. Luna Vasahi Temple: 22nd Tirthankara Neminath
3. Pitalahar Temple: 1st Tirthankara Rishabnath
4. KhartarVasahi Temple: 23rd Tirthankara
Parshvnath
5. Mahavira Swami Temple: 23rd Tirthankara
Parshvnath

5. Characteristics Features of the
temple
• Belongs to Jain Religion
• Group of temple
• Situated adjacent to each other
• Enclosed in compound with corridor
• Made of Marble
• Intricate Carving from inside; plain from outer
• Minute carving on ceilings
• Pillars are also beautifully decorated
• Hasthshala
• Torna

8. Vimal-Vasahi
Temple

9. Vimal Vasahi Temple
• One of the oldest in the group
• Vimal Vasahi Temple was built in 1032 CE.
• The temple was constructed by Vimal Shah a minister of
Bhima I
• The temple is dedicated to Rishabhanath (Aadinath)
• Enclosed in courtyard surrounded by a corridor
• Corridor has numerous cells (Devkulis) containing idols
of the Jain tirthankaras
• Temple is made by white marble brought from Arasoori
hill
• The temple was constructed with the help of 1500 masons
and 12000 laborers worked for 14 years

11. Components of the
Vimal Vasahi Temple
1. Garbhgriha
2. Antarala
3. Guda Mandapa)
4. Navchoki (A Portico)
5. Rang Mandpa (Sabha
Mandpa)
6. Corridor

13. Gudh Mandpa and Garbhgruha
and Antarala
• Gudh Mandpa :
• Main deity of sanctum is visible from here
• Purpose: Worship hall
• Garbhagriha :
• Square on plan
• Impressively decorated gateway of sanctum
• Aadi nath idol is placed
• Antarala
• Narrow passage between Gudhmandapa and Sanctum

16. Rang mandapa and
Navchoki
• Entry of Rang mandapa from 3
sides
• Central Pillars are highly
decorated,
• Pillars are aligned each other
forms Carved-Arched known as
Tornas,
• These torans are like garland,
richly decorated arches pending
from the middle between two
columns,
• Ceiling (dome) is also
gorgeously carved
• Navchoki is portico, has nine
rectangular ceilings
• Each encompasses different
decoration

18. Corridor (Cells)
• Temple is enclosed with
compound wall.
• Inner side of the wall is
forming corridor having
number of small shrines
(cells).
• These small shrines also
known as Devkulikas
• Total 42 Devkulikas
embedded statue of Jain
Tirthankaras.
• These cells are also
decorated particularly
ceiling

19. The Hathishala
• Hathishala (elephant cell):
• Constructed by Prithvipal in 1147-49 CE
• Hathishala contents row of independent elephants
sculptures
• Total 10 elephants
• Made of Marble

20. Art in Vimal Vasahi
• The ceilings of the temple consist designs of lotus-buds,
petals, flowers and life of tirthankaras.
• Social life like musician, dancers and soldier along with
animal life are also carved.
• Total 42 devakulikas (small shrine) consist the image of
Tirthankaras.
• The ceiling of the temple has carvings of animals like
horses, elephants etc.

21. Vimal Vasahi

22. Luna Vasahi Temple

23. Luna Vasahi
• Stone inscriptions found inside the Luna Vasahi provide
information about this temple and its patron:
• This was dedicated to the Neminatha.
• The Luna Vasahi was established by a government official
named Tejpala (Vastupal and Tejpal) on March 3, 1230.
• The Luna Vasahi’s inscription tells us that Tejpala built this
temple for the merit of his wife, Anupamadevi, and his son,
Lavanya-simha.
• The temple was named for this son, “Luna” being a
shortened version of “Lavanya”.
• It took 15 years to construct.
• The Chief architect was ”Shobhandev”

24. Luna Vasahi
• Luna Vasahi built in 1230, almost 200 years after Vimal
Vasahi.
• Also known as Tejpal Temple
• Components of the temple (Similar to Vimal Vasahi)
1. Garbhgriha
2. Guda Mandapa
3. Navchoki (A Portico)
4. Rang Mandpa (Sabha Mandpa)
• The temple is dedicated to Neminath
• Enclosed in compound, surrounded by corridor
• Corridor has numerous cells containing idols of the Jain
tirthankaras

25. Luna Vasahi
• “T” Shape plan
• Size 52 m. x 28.5 m.
• East-west Axis
1. Garbhgriha
2. Guda Mandapa
3. Navchoki (A Portico)
4. Rang Mandpa (Sabha
Mandpa)
• Enclosed in wall
• Corridor
• 52 Devkulis (cells)

26. Guda Mandapa, Sanctum and
Antarala
• No pillars at the central
area
• Just a simple hall
• Small Antarala
• Highly decorated
entrance of the sanctum
• Back stone image of
Neminatha.

27. Rangmandapa
• Circular on plan
• Central Dome
• Central eight pillars
associated each other and
forming Torna (curved
arches).
• Ceiling is enormously
decorated with various
sculptures including
tirthankaras
• Pillars are also adorn
with minute details and
sculptures of god and
goddesses.

30. Corridor (Devkulis)
and Hathishala
• Total 52 Devkulis
• Contains mostly life of Neminatha
• Each cell has a image of Jain Tirthankaras
• Ceiling is also decorated
• 10 elephant sculptures
• Made of marble
• Ten slabs behind the elephant contain a figure of couple

31. Art of Luna Vasahi
• The ceiling illustrates episodes from the life of the 22nd
Jina, Neminatha, in seven bands.
• It is eight feet in width and the narrative scenes face two
directions.
• The Luna Vasahi, surrounded by pillars, ceilings, brackets,
and beams of white marble, sculpted in stunning detail.
• Brackets on the capitals (or tops) of the eight pillars that
support the domed ceiling are carved in the form of female
dancers.

33. Thank You