Dilwara Peethalhar Jain Temple- Rajasthan

Address

Dilwara Peethalhar Jain Temple Dilwara Rd, Dilwara, Mount Abu, Rajasthan 307501

Diety

Shri Rishabdaoji

Introduction

The Dilwara Temples or Delvada Temples are a group of Five Jain temples located about 2+1⁄2 kilometres from the Mount Abu settlement in Sirohi District, Rajasthan. Dilwara temples are known to have excellent architecture and incredible work of marble carvings. Some experts even think that Dilwara temples have better architecture than the Taj Mahal. Dilwara temple complex has five sections dedicated to five Jain Teerthankaras. This temple is dedicated to Sri Rishabdoji. Sri Rishabdaoji Temple was built by Bhima Shah, a minister from Gujarat dynasty. This temple is known as Pittalhari/Peethalhar temple because ‘Pittal’ (Brass Metal) used in the construction of most statues in this temple. It also has Gudu Mandapa and Navchowki.

Puranic Significance

Jain temples are simple and general looks from outside but its extravagant doors of entrance tell about its architectural superiority. This temple, also called the Adinatha temple, was built by Bhima Shah, a minister of Sultan Begada of Ahmedabad, between 1316-1432 AD. A massive metal statue of the first Tirthankara, Rishabha Dev (Adinath), cast in five metals, is installed in the temple. The main metal used in this statue is ‘Pital’ (brass), hence the name ‘Pittalhar’. The name of the temple is also mentioned in an inscription dating back to 1432, found in Digambar shrine in Dilwara complex. There are a total of 107 images in the main shrine. The Shrine consists of a main Garbhagriha, Gudh mandap and Navchowki with idol of yakshi Chakreshvari and yaksha Gomukha on both sides. It seems that the construction of Rangmandap and the corridor was left unfinished. The old mutilated idol was replaced and installed in 1468-69 AD weighing 108 maunds (four metric tons) according to the inscription on it. The image was cast by an artist ‘Deta’ which is 8 ft (2.4 m). high, 5.5 ft (1.7 m). broad and the figure is 41 inches (1,000 mm) in height. In Gudh Mandap on one side, a big marble Panch-Tirthi sculpture of Adinath is installed. Some shrines (devakulika) were constructed in 1474 and 1490, before construction was abandoned.

Special Features

The intricate stone carving on the marble pillars and ceilings is truly awe-inspiring. This temple is known as Pittalhari/Peethalhar temple because in this temple most of the statues are built using ‘Pittal’ (Brass Metal). This temple was built by Bhima Shah, a minister from Gujarat dynasty, like other temples of Dilwara this temple is also having Gudu Mandapa and Navchowki.