DILWARA
TEMPLES ( Mount Abu)
In
the course of his ardous journey through his beloved country, Lala Deen
Dayal was particularly privileged to visit many Jain pilgrimages being
a devout Jain himself. His images of Dilwara Jain temple in Mount Abu
are notable for their rich contrast and highlights of a subject as difficult
as pure white marble. The ornamental detail of the minutely carved ceilings,
pillars, panels and doorways is reflected beautifully in the dayal images.
The richly carved corridors, pillars, arches, and mandaps or porticos
are truly awe-inspiring. On the ceiling are engraved rich and elaborate
designs of lotus-buds, petals, flowers, geometrical designs and scenes
illustrating the Jain and Hindu mythologies. The exquisitely chiselled
marble carvings of the Dilwara Jain temples have to be seen to appreciate
the skill of the artisans. In many places the marble figures are almost
translucent. No wonder the artisans - 15000 of them were paid in gold
and silver equivalent to the weight of the marble chiselled out.
Built
in the 11th century the Dilwara temple reflects a period which witnessed
proliferous expansion of Jainism. As most followers of Jain faith belonged
to the prosperous merchant class, they expressed their devotion by donating
large sums of money for the construction of intricately carved temples
made of marble. These temples were dedicated to their saints known as
the tirthankars and also served as storehouses of illustrated manuscripts
and treatises.
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| Intricately
carved Circular ceiling of mandap in main hall |
Details
of Floral pattern on ceiling with translucent effect of marble |
Richly
chiselled marble pillars leading to the sanctum sanctorum |
A
long shot of the symphony in marble. |
