Bhandasar Jain Temple- Rajasthan

Address

Bhandasar Jain Temple- Rajasthan Old Bikaner, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334001

Diety

Sumatinatha

Introduction

Bhandasar Jain Temple- Rajasthan is located in Bikaner, Rajasthan. This temple is famous for wall painting and art work. This temple is protected by Archaeological Survey of India. Bhandasar Jain Temple is one of the 27 beautiful Jain temples located in Bikaner. This temple is dedicated to the fifth Tirthankara, Sumatinath and it is also considered to be the most beautiful and the highest temple.

Puranic Significance

This temple was constructed by Bhandasa Oswal in the 12th century. The temple is dedicated to Sumatinatha, the 5th tirthankara. According to legends, 40,000 Kgs of ghee was used in the construction of this temple instead of water in a mortar Bhandasar Jain Temple is a three-storey temple, famous for its beautiful leaf paintings, frescoes and ornamented mirror work. This temple was constructed using red sandstone with beautiful paintings and yellow-stone carvings on walls, pillars of the sanctum and mandapa. On the walls there are illustrations depicting the lives of the 24 tirthankaras. The temple consists of garbhagriha, antarala, mahamandapa, and ardhamandapa. The sanctum is pancharatha (five rathas) is covered by shikhara having karna-amalakas and amalakas at top.

Special Features

It is decorated with mirror work, frescoes and leaf paintings. The temple is built of red sandstone and is divided into three floors. One can see the skyline of Bikaner by climbing to the topmost floor of this temple. It is believed that the temple was made with 40,000 kilograms of ghee instead of water in a mortar, which locals insist seeps through the walls on hot days.