The Kumbharia Jain temples is a group of five
Jain
Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current time cycle being ...
temples in the
Kumbhariya, Banaskantha district
Kumbhariya is a village of historical, archaeological and religious importance with cultural heritage in Danta Taluka of Banaskantha district, Gujarat, India.
It is notable for five medieval Jain temples, built between 1062 and 1231, similar ...
in
Gujarat
Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...
, India. Constructed from 1062 to 1231 CE during the reign of the
Chaulukya dynasty
The Chaulukya dynasty (), also Solanki dynasty, was a dynasty that ruled parts of what are now Gujarat and Rajasthan in north-western India, between and . Their capital was located at Anahilavada (modern Patan). At times, their rule extended ...
, they are noted for their elaborate architecture.
History
Kumbharia was one of the most important Jain centres during the
Chaulukya period. It is said that 360 temples existed in the region during the 4th century, but most were destroyed by volcanic activity and only five remain . These five Jain temples were constructed from 1062 to 1231 CE:
*Mahavira temple was built in 1062. This is the earliest Jain temple.
*Shantinath temple was built in 1082.
*Parshvanath temple was built in 1094 by the Chalukyan king
Jayasimha Siddharaja
Jayasiṃha ( ), who assumed the title Siddharāja (), was an Indian king who ruled western parts of India. He was a member of the Chaulukya (also called Solanki) dynasty.
Jayasimha's capital was located at Anahilapataka (modern Patan) in pres ...
.
*Neminath temple was built a little later in 1136 during the reign of Jayasimha Siddharaja.
*Sambhavanatha temple was built in 1231.
It is however unlikely that volcanism has directly destroyed any temples as there has not been any evidence of active
volcanoes in India for over 500 thousand years (except on the Andaman Islands).
Earthquake activity in India is however significant and may account for the destruction of such temples.
Architecture
The Kumbharia Jain temples are famous for their elaborate architecture. Along with the
Dilwara temples,
Girnar Jain temples
The group of temples of Jainism are situated on the Mount Girnar situated near Junagadh in Junagadh district, Gujarat, India. These temples are sacred to both Digambara and the Svetambara branches of Jainism.
In Jainism
According to Jain re ...
, and
Taranga Jain temple
Taranga is a Jain pilgrimage center near Kheralu in Mehsana district, Gujarat, India, with two compounds of Jain temples that are important examples of the Māru-Gurjara style of architecture. The Ajitnatha temple, was constructed in 1161 by ...
, they are considered excellent examples of Chaulukyan architecture. The Mahavira, Shantinatha, and Parshvanatha temples in the Kumbharia Jain temple complex are some of the most renowned Jain temples in India. These five marble temples vary in size, image carvings, and architectural detail, with each having its own characteristics. Every temple is surrounded by a protective walled courtyard with elaborate porched gateways.
Mahavira temple
![Kumbhariya Jain temple - Ceiling (2)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Kumbhariya_Jain_temple_-_Ceiling_%282%29.jpg)
Mahavira temple, also known as ''Arasana samghacaitya'', is the temple of the Jain congregation at Arasana (''Aras'' in Gujarati means marble). This temple's marble ceiling depicts scenes from
Bahubali
Bahubali (), a much revered figure among Jains, was the son of Rishabadeva (the first ''tirthankara'' of Jainism) and the brother of Bharata Chakravartin. He is said to have meditated motionless for a year in a standing posture (''kayotsarg ...
's life. The upper panel has a depiction of a war between
Bahubali
Bahubali (), a much revered figure among Jains, was the son of Rishabadeva (the first ''tirthankara'' of Jainism) and the brother of Bharata Chakravartin. He is said to have meditated motionless for a year in a standing posture (''kayotsarg ...
and
Bharata chakravartin, showing both armies' horses, elephants, and soldiers. The lower panel depicts a duel between two brothers. The centre panel has an image of Bahubali in meditation being approached by Bharata and his wife. Another ceiling features carvings of the past and future
tirthankara
In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (Sanskrit: '; English: literally a ' ford-maker') is a saviour and spiritual teacher of the '' dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a '' tirtha'', which is a fordable pass ...
with their parents. There are depictions of the life events of Mahavira carved on the ceiling of the temple. The panels inside the temple also feature images of god, goddess, animals, trees etc carved in marble. One panel feature image of a Jain Goddess with a goat's head with a child depicting of Mahavira. The ceiling of the temple's porch houses a depiction of multi-tier
Samavasarana
In Jainism, Samavasarana or Samosharana ("Refuge to All") is the divine preaching hall of the Tirthankara, stated to have more than 20,000 stairs in it. The word ''samavasarana'' is derived from two words, ''sama'', meaning general and ''avasar ...
.
Shantinatha temple
Shantinatha temple is similar to Mahavira temple. According to inscriptions, Shantinatha temple was originally dedicated to
Rishabhanatha. The temple houses an important icon depicting
Ashtapad and dating to 1210 CE. The Ashtapad idol is a diamond-shaped altar that depicts the mountain with images of 24 Tirthankars facing all four
cardinal directions on two levels. The top of the icon depicts the Samavasarana of Rishabhanatha with a image of Rishabhanatha.
Parshvanatha temple
The ceiling of Parshvanatha temple bears an image of
Parshvanatha with a hood of snakes similar to those of
Vimal Vasahi. The temple's stone idol of
Ajitnatha
Ajitanath (lit. invincible) was the second ''tirthankara'' of the present age, ''avasarpini'' (half time cycle) according to Jainism. He was born to King Jitashatru and Queen Vijaya at Ayodhya in the Ikshvaku dynasty. He was a liberated soul w ...
stands on a pedestal bearing an elephant symbol. The temple features nine highly decked '. The
torana
''Torana'' ( sa, तोरण; '' awr-uh-nuh') is a free-standing ornamental or arched gateway for ceremonial purposes in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain architecture of the Indian subcontinent. Toranas can also be widely seen in Southeast Asia and ...
-
stambha
A stambha (''tower'' in English) is a pillar or column found in India. In the context of Hindu mythology, it is believed to be a cosmic column that functions as a bond, joining heaven (Svarga) and earth (Prithvi). A number of Hindu scriptures, ...
features carvings of ''vidyadevi'', ''aparaicakra'', ''Purusudatta'', ''
Mahakali
Mahakali () is the Hindu goddess of time and death in the goddess-centric tradition of Shaktism.
Similar to Kali, Mahakali is a fierce goddess associated with universal power, time, life, death, and both rebirth and liberation. She is the cons ...
'', ''Vajrasnrnkhala'', ''Vajarankusa'', and
Rohini. The temple contains images of Sarvanha and
Ambika
Ambika may refer to:
Mythology
* Ambika (goddess), an avatar of the Hindu goddesses Durga, Parvati, and Shakti
* Ambika (Jainism), a Jain Yakshini goddess
* Ambika (Mahabharata), the wife of Vichitravirya was also the mother of Dhritarashtra, ...
as ''shasan-devata'' with the hood of a snake overhead.
Neminatha temple
The pillars of the Neminatha temple are ornately carved in a manner similar to those of Vimal Vasahi and feature a
Nagara style Shikhara
''Shikhara'' ( IAST: '), a Sanskrit word translating literally to "mountain peak", refers to the rising tower in the Hindu temple architecture of North India, and also often used in Jain temples. A ''shikhara'' over the ''garbhagriha'' chambe ...
. This temple contains an image of the Hindu god
Ganesha
Ganesha ( sa, गणेश, ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the best-known and most worshipped Deva_(Hinduism), deities in the Hindu deities, Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in Ganapatya sect. His image is ...
that is similar to that of
Luna Vasahi and the
Ranakpur Jain temple
Ranakpur Jain temple or Chaturmukha Dharana Vihara is a Śvētāmbara Jain temple at Ranakpur dedicated to ''Tirthankara'' Rishabhanatha. The temple is located in a village of Ranakpur near Sadri town in the Pali district of Rajasthan.
Darna ...
. The temple includes miniature carvings of ''vidya-devi'' like ''aparaicakra'', ''Vajrasnrnkhala'', ''Sarvastra-Mahajvala'', ''Rohini'', and ''Vairotya'', which were popular iconographies in western India during the 11th and 12th centuries. According to an inscription, the
munisuvrata
Munisuvrata () was the twentieth ''tirthankara'' of the present half time cycle (''avasarpini'') in Jain cosmology. He became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of his karma. Events of the Jaina version of Ramayana are placed ...
-bimba was installed in 1281 CE (
VS 1338).
Sambhavanatha temple
The Sambhavanatha temple is a small temple and a typical example of rich
Chaulukyan architecture. According to an inscription in the Mahavira temple, the idol was gifted by "Pahini" in 1085 CE and the temple was originally dedicated to
Shantinatha
Shantinatha was the sixteenth Jain tirthankar of the present age (Avasarpini). Shantinatha was born to King Vishvasena and Queen Aiira at Hastinapur in the Ikshvaku dynasty. His birth date is the thirteenth day of the Jyest Krishna month of the ...
. The original idol of the temple was later mutilated and replaced with a new idol. The temple has a representation of the Hindu goddess
Saraswati
Saraswati ( sa, सरस्वती, ) is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is one of the Tridevi, along with the goddesses Lakshmi and Parvati.
The earliest known mention of Saraswati as a g ...
on its ceiling.
Conservation
The temples, which have undergone repairs, renovations, and modifications, are managed by the
Anandji Kalyanji Trust
Anandji Kalyanji Trust (Gujarati શેઠ આનંદજી કલ્યાણજી પેઢી) is the largest and the oldest Jain trust, managed by lay Jains, with headquarters at Ahmedabad which manages more than 1200 Jain temples. Th ...
.
See also
*
Mahavira Jain temple, Osian
*
Taranga Jain temple
Taranga is a Jain pilgrimage center near Kheralu in Mehsana district, Gujarat, India, with two compounds of Jain temples that are important examples of the Māru-Gurjara style of architecture. The Ajitnatha temple, was constructed in 1161 by ...
*
Ambaji
Ambaji (''Ambājī'') is a census town in Banaskantha district in the state of Gujarat, India. It is known for its historical connections with sites of cultural heritage.
Geography
Ambaji is a town within taluka district Banaskantha, Nort ...
Notes
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{{Jainism Topics
Jain temples in Gujarat
11th-century Jain temples
Tourist attractions in Banaskantha district
Māru-Gurjara architecture