Marvels in Marble

The exquisite Jain Temples,located in the village of Delwada, lend to Holy Abu an importance unprecedented in the history of a hill station and house MARVELS in MARBLE that are the finest dedication to Jainism for centuries to come. Unofficially ranked by connoisseurs as one of the Wonders of the World and second to none, these temples have a rather shabby exterior. The unimposing and concealed entrance, however, leads one into a rare world of spiritual enchantment and sculptured beauty.

The temples of white marble, are authentic specimens of Indian art and sculpture in the medieval times. Here precision and tranquility are evident as the main characteristics and more so the sculptures represent yet another significant trend. Extraordinarily rich in ornament and sculpture, the temples with rare religious affiliations reveal remarkable stylistic affinities which suggest that the artists were more concerned with the surface of marble than with the spirit behind form. For amongst the most striking features of this group of temples is the meticulous attention to details and rigidly ornate finish. Then these carvings serve a very useful purpose in the sense that they proclaim the heights which Indian workmanship could reach at a time when nothing else mattered. Thus they are lso typical of the age in which they were conceived and built.

These temples keep the modern architects wondering. It is beyond one's understandsing as to how heavy blocks of marble were brought to such a great height in the days when there were no mechanical means of transport.

The first of these temples Vimala Vasihi was built by Vimal Shah, minister to King Bhimdeo, the first Solanki ruler of Gujarat in the year 1031 A.D. This temples is dedicated to Adi Nath, the first Tirthankar-Holy Man of the Jains. The temple is oblong in shape. In the center is a huge shrine where a gigantic statue of Lord Adi Nath is installed. The approach to the shrine is through an imposing hall having twelve decoratively sculptured pillars, intricately carved arches and a dome that has a cluster of marble pendants hanging down in the center. This is easily the most beautiful section of the temple. Then all around is a a wide courtyard lined with 53 small square cells in each of which is enshrined a statue of a Tirthankar. In front of each cell is a small portico with a carved roof. All of these have elaborate reliefs, illustrating not only Jain legends but also themes from Hindu mythology. The ornamentation is a brilliant example of tileless inventiveness in the art of marble sculpture.

The second temple in order of paying homage to is the Luna Vasihi. The artistic temple was built by two famous brothers Tejpala and Vastupala, ministers to Raja Viradhavala, also a ruler of Gujarat in the year 1230 A.D..It is dedicated to Lord Nemi Nath the 22nd Tirthankar of Jains. The layout corresponds to that of the Luna Vasihi and its most striking feature is the marble pendant in the dome pf the porch. It drops from the ceiling like a cluster of half open lotus flowers whose cups are so finely wrought and carved that they appear to be almost transparent.

The third temples Pitalhar has a brass-Pital statue of Rikhab Dev weighing about 4000 kilograms and the same was installed in the year 1468 A.D. Khartar Vasihi completes the foursome and is said to be built by the artisans who worked in their leisure hours, using the left over material. The imposing three-storyed temple, with a commanding view of the surroundings is dedicated to Lord Parsava Nath the 23rd Tirthankar and is named after Khartagacha- a Swetambar Jain monk of whom the artisans were the followers.