The multi-dimensional attraction of Rajasthan tourism is the main factor for attracting such a large number of tourists. Rajasthan offers natural beauty, historical importance, religious significance and a lot of fun. This helps in increasing the total number of tourists in Rajasthan. The temples in particular are very attractive to regular tourists as well as devotees. Presence of a number of wonderful temples in Jaisalmer also helps in attracting a large number of tourists. The temples in Jaisalmer are great attraction for the tourists as they are part of religious history of the city. Moreover, the beautiful architecture of the temple will also provide you knowledge about the architecture of the region. There are many temples in Jaisalmer. The Jain temples in Jaisalmer offer you a sense of tranquil console and serene peace. These temples also reflect the religious inclination of the region. They have become so much popular among tourists that a Jaisalmer tour is often regarded incomplete without a visit to these temples.
About Jain Temples of Jaisalmer :
The Jain temples in Jaisalmer are located within the Jaisalmer Fort premises. Its location also proves to be attractive to the tourists as most of the tourists get to visit both the attractions. These temples date back to the 12th century. The temples are dedicated to Rikhadev and Sambavnath, the 1st and the 3rd Jain tirthtankar. There are seven Jain temples in total. They are built and overlooked by the followers of the Swetambar Sect. Among these temples, the biggest one is the The Paraswanath Temple and is most attractive.
The architecture of the Jaisalmer Jain temples bears a lot resemblance with Dilwara temples. These Jain temples demonstrate the temple architecture that was predominant in the medieval era. One of the unique features of the temple is the vast chain of corridors. These corridors connect the temples. Another attraction of the temple that will surely attract your attention is the carved lotus symbols on the temple domes. It also has a number of stone sculptures and captions of on the temple walls.
The temples are very attractive to the tourists. There are a number of attractions inside the temple. They also have a number of attractive stone sculptures. There is also a library attached to one of the Jain temples. It is known as Gyan Bhandar. This library is a great attraction for tourists as they are a store house of past texts. The books of this library mainly describe the legends associated with the temples. A visit to this library will be further enriching if you can get a hand of those materials which describe a number of things associated with Mahavira.
Attractions of Jain Temples in Jaisalmer :
Lodurva : Lodurva was the original capital of the Bhattis, before Jaisal built the Jaisalmer fort in 1156. This town is much older than Jaisalmer and was sacked several times, most notably by Mahmud of Ghazni in the 11th century when he was en route to Somnath, and then by Mohammad Ghori in the next century. The latter invasion persuaded Jaisal to abandon Lodurva, and he shifted his capital to Jaisalmer, making Bhoj the last ruler of Lodurva. Now mostly in ruins, Lodurva is visited mostly for its great Jain temples, they contain the most exquisite jali work screens, grand ceilings and a magnificent triumphal arch at the entrance. The original carriage for the deity, made in 1675, has been preserved till now. The most interesting object dart is Kalpataru, a mythical tree of wish fulfillment. A great number of peacocks inhabit this area and hover around the temple walls, lending spectacular colour to this dry and stony landscape. The river Kak once flowed here and led to many a romance, the famous story of princess Momal, and prince Mathendru of Amarkot is now part of legend and folk songs. It is said that when the lovers perished, the river Kak stopped flowing.
The Parshvanath Temple : The Parshvanath Temple is the main Jain temple here. It predates the others and was even destroyed once in 1152, but was reconstructed in 1615 by Seth Tharu Shah with further additions. Its Torana Dwar or main archway is probably the most ornate of its kind in Rajasthan and interestingly the sentry outside is a Rajput, not a Jain. The ceilings of the Sabha Mandapa support a demonic looking multi-hooded serpent canopy surrounded by five bodies. As you walk around the mandapa the head seems to connect, in turn, with each of these in turn. The walls of the sanctum are carved with animal and human figures. The shikhara, is crowned by an amalak, and a water pot containing a lotus flower
Kalpavriksha(Celestial Tree) : Within the walls of temple complex is the Kalpavriksha or the celestial tree. When the actual tree that grew here decayed, it was substituted by a true to life sculpture in an alloy of eight metals, making it an ‘eternal tree’ symbolizing enlightenment. The copper leaves are believed to have the power to fulfill the wishes of any one who has a pure heart . On the temple’s outer wall there is a low – relief carving on stone, according to legend it is inhabited by a black cobra for more than for 400 years now. Rumour has it that he shows himself only 10-15 times every summer and anyone who catches a glimpse of him is blessed with good luck.
Rishabhnath Temple : This is another Jain temples at Lodurva, located near the ruins of the palace of Moomal and the once gushing watercourse of the river Kak. The temple was commissioned by a wealthy Marwari Seth Sachcha and constructed in 1479. According to mythology Rishabhdevaji was a man who lived 20,00,000 years as a prince and no less than 63,00,000 years as a king. Legend further states that he neglected his body for 1,000 years and then deeply meditated for three and a half days, depriving himself of all food and water. After which, according to Hermann Jacobi in Jaina Sutras, he reached the infinite.
Shambhavanath Temple : The third important Jain temple in Lodurva it is dedicated to the Jain tirthankara or fordmaker Shambhavnath whose symbol is the horse. The whole temple complex is surmounted by an octagonal pyramidal roof, and a fortification wall nearby suggests that the community was apprehensive about defilement of their places of worship by aggressive Muslim and Hindu groups. A temple in each corner of the complex is dedicated to a different saint; Rishabhnath in the southwest, Parshvanath in the northeast, Ajitanath (whose symbol is the elephant) in the southeast and of course Shambhavnath (of the horse symbol) in the northwest. All these temples date back from 1618.
How to Reach Jain Temples, Jaisalmer :
Reaching the Jain Temples at Jaisalmer is a bit of easy as the city maintains a fine accessibility to all parts of India with a good network of transportation systems.
By Air: Jodhpur happens to be the nearest airport from Jaisalmer at 285 km to avail flights for everywhere.
By Train: The Western Railways joins Jaisalmer to almost all parts of India in a fine way.
By Road: Jaisalmer boasts of a well-connectivity to key cities of Rajasthan and India by first-rate roadways.
Location: Outskirts of Jaisalmer, 16 Km from the city
Importance: Jain temple ruins, Kalptaru and Peacocks
Attraction: Dilwara style paintings, Architecture
Timings: Early morning till 12 noon