JAIN

rchitecture
Introduction:
Jain architecture is an offshoot of
Hindu and Buddhist styles.
In the initial years, many Jain temples
were made adjoining the Buddhist
temples following the Buddhist
rock-cut style. Jain architecture
reached the peak of excellence in
the 11th and 12th century.
Initially these temples were
mainly carved out of rock faces &
the use of bricks was almost
negligible.
In later years Jains
started building temple-cities on
hills based on the concept of
mountains of immortality.
Elements Of Jain Architecture:

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 a deity.
From these pillars, there are
richly carved brackets that
emerge at about two thirds of
their height.
 Jain column or order
• It has a wide spreading base
• Shaft exhibits a variety of
design being square at the
base but changes to circular
section with shallow flutes
crossed by lateral bands at
regular interval.
• The capital has a vase motif
which supports a wide square
abacus.
• Corners of abacus are
supported by figures of
animals
Elements Of Jain Temples:
The roofs of Temple have pointy domes
and wherever there is a dome, the pillars
are omitted to create an octagonal
space within.
Elements Of Jain Temples:
The only variation in architecture specific to Jain temples
is the frequently seen four-faced or chaumukh design.
In these four faced temples, the image of a Tirthankar
faces back to back to face four cardinal directions.
Entry into these temples is also from four doors that face
the cardinal directions.
Jain Temples:
The founder of Jainism is Vardamana
or Mahavira (Great Hero). But it is said that he is the last
Tirthankara or Jina.
 (Victor) and the first one is Adinatha.
All of Jain temples are dedicated to
one of the 24 Tirthankaras.
In Jain style of architecture, bricks
were hardly used, and the system of
carving out temples from rock faces
was adopted.
Jain Temples:
In later years when Jains discovered the concept of mountains
of immortality , they proceeded to deviate from Hindu and
Buddhist sites and build on their own.
An important aspect to be noted is that Hindus and Buddhists
built temples, Jains built temple- cities on hills.
They ornamented these holy hills with a crown of eternal Arhat
chaityas (tabernacles of saints)
shining with the splendour of
jewels."
 The Temple Structure:
 As mentioned earlier, the leading idea of the plan of the Jain
temple is that of a number of columns arranged in squares.
Wherever it was intended to have a dome, pillars were omitted,
so as to leave spaces in the form of octagonal.
By corbelling over the pendentives in level courses,
the dome was gradually formed.
Interior Layout Of Temple:
Simply put, these are temples within a temple, divided into
sanctums and surrounded by a range of chapels and
shrines, and the maze of columns act as a defence against
plunderers.
The principle impression gathered from these temples is
the variety of their sections but in harmony with each
other.
 The pointed spires above
each dome is different,
yet it signifies the position
of a chapel, hall or any
other chamber inside.
The Architecture Splendour Of
Jain Temples:
 From the architectural
perspective, Jain Temple
cities seem to be rather cold
compared to Hindu or
Buddhist temples.
 The Ranakpur temple is built in
white marble and
the main chamber is supported
by finely carved
columns, totalling 1,444 in all.
Adinath Temple, Ranakpur:
 The Adinatha Temple of Ranakpur is also named Dharma
Vihara temple after its builder.
The temple is very large. It stands on a basement of 60m x
62m (*1) , which is like a stronghold.
On the top of a flight of stairs at the central entrance, there
is a three-storied "Balanaka" (entrance hall), which has a
dome roof.
Adinath Temple, Ranakpur:
A large number of columns are carved elaborately, and it is
said that no two pillars are alike in design.
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.
Adinath Temple, Ranakpur:
Light is abundantly coming inside through gaps between
ceilings and from courtyards, highlighting the intertwined
spaces and fine carvings all around.
The splendour of the space is so pure as the entire temple
from the floors to the ceilings is made of white marble. It
also might be described as the realization of the Pure Land.
Plan Of The Temple:
 Central Main Shrine is called "Mula-prasada," its interior is
Garbagriha" (sanctum).
• 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.  Having four
Mahadara-prasada" (two-faced-
shrine) diagonally in four directions
of the main shrine, the temple type
is "Panchayatana“
(five-Shrine- type).
Plan Of The Temple:
In addition to this, there are two "Bhadra- prasada" east
and west sides, making the total composition much more
intricate.
A line of "Deva-kulika" (small shrine) along "Bhamati“
(cloister) surround the whole complex.
All these shrines hold a statue of Tirthankara or Jina (four in
Chaturmukha, two in Mahadara- prasada), there are more
than 100 statues in total.
 garbagriha

mandapa Ardha
Ardha mandapa
mandapa
mandapa

ELEVATION
ADINATH TEMPLE, RANAKPUR,
 Comparison Between
Hindu And Jain Temple
HINDU TEMPLE JAIN TEMPLE
 The basic form of a Hindu  The basic form of Jain
temple is [garbhagriha + temple is "Four faced open
mandapa]. form" in the temple design.
 On the other hand, a Jaina
temple is not a house of
 The garbhagriha at Hindu God, but a place where
temples means the "house "Tirthankara" (Jina) gives
a of God"  and accordingly it teachings. It is called
should be locked securely as "Samavasarana," and the
a human residence. doctrine of Jina should be
preached in all directions. 
Famous Jain Temples:

Dilwara temple, Mount Abu

Nasiyan temple, Ajmer.

Famous Jain Temples:

DIGAMBAR
JAIN TEMPLE,
DELHI.

HATHEESING
JAIN TEMPLE,
AHMEDABAD
Overview:
These temple-cities were not built on a specific plan;
instead they were the results of sporadic construction.
Natural levels of the hill on which the city was being built
accommodated various levels so that as one goes higher so
does the architecture and grandeur increases.
Each temple, though, followed a set pattern, styles,
designed on principles of architecture in use during the
period.
Compared to the number of Hindu temples in India, Jain
ones are few and spaced out.
Jain temples are said to be the richest temples in the world,
surpassing even Mughal buildings in terms of grandeur and
material wealth.
Thank You….

By:
* L. Chingkuba 2011BARC073
* Smriti Gupta 2011BARC074
* Indrajeet Singh 2011BARC075
* Priyank Soni 2011BARC076
* Adreeja Deka 2011BARC077