Polo Forest Lakhena Jain Temple-1- Gujarat

Address

Polo Forest Lakhena Jain Temple-1- Abhapur, Polo Forest, Sabarkantha district, Gujarat – 383460.

Diety

Tirthankara Parshvanatha Amman: Padmavati

Introduction

Abhapur is a group of Jain temples located in Abhapur village near Polo Forest in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat. The largest of the “Lakhan e- Dera” cluster and the temple is 15th century temple in sandstone. The Jain and Shiva temples in close proximity at Abhapur, Polo and Antarsurbha site suggests the co-existence both Jainism and Hinduism during medieval period. Both Jain and Shiva temples are in ruins status and has turned black due to exposure to the sun and rain.

Puranic Significance

The Lakhena Jain temple or Lakhena na Dera is the largest temple in Abhapur. The temple is rich in architecture with exquisite sculptures of apsara. The temple also has a well in the premise. The lower level chamber where idols were concealed in the past. The temple is made of sandstone with well carved ceiling and jalis in the mandapa having various natural and geometric patterns. Only the arch remains where a main dome exited in the past. The temple is two storied with gudhamandapa and antarala. The antarala ceiling has a beautiful sculpture. The temple has beautifully executed screens, swan panels, and other carvings and the richly carved pillars have carvings comparable to the Dilwara Temples. The doors in the garbhagriha have carving similar to that of wooden door. The mulnayak of the temple is an image of Jain Tirthankara Parshvanatha with Goddess Padmavati on the sides. The temple is 150 by 70 feet (46 by 21 m) in area. The temple was formerly surrounded by 52 devkulika shrines. Behind the Lakhena na dera is a small temple with exposed ceiling.