Kumbharia Jain temples

Kumbharia Jain temples
Neminatha temple
Religion
Affiliation	Jainism
Sect	Śvētāmbara
Deity	Mahavira, Parshvanath, Shantinatha, Neminatha & Sambhavanatha
Festivals	Mahavir Jayanti
Governing body	Anandji Kalyanji Trust
Location
Location	Kumbhariya, Gujarat
Geographic coordinates	24°19′27″N72°51′46″E / 24.32417°N 72.86278°E / 24.32417; 72.86278
Architecture
Style	Māru-Gurjara architecture
Creator	Bhima I, Karna, and Jayasimha Siddharaja
Date established	1062–1231 CE
Temple(s)	5

The Kumbharia Jain temples is a group of five Jain temples in the Kumbhariya, Banaskantha district in Gujarat, India. Constructed from 1062 to 1231 CE during the reign of the Chaulukya dynasty, they are noted for their elaborate architecture.

History

Kumbharia was one of the most important Jain centres during the Chaulukya period. ^[1] It is said that 360 temples existed in the region during the 4th century, ^[2] but most were destroyed by volcanic activity and only five remain . ^{[3] [4]} These five Jain temples were constructed from 1062 to 1231 CE: ^{[5] [6]}

• 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.
• 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. ^{[7] [8]} Along with the Dilwara temples, Girnar Jain temples, and Taranga Jain temple, they are considered excellent examples of Chaulukyan architecture. ^{[9] [10]} 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. ^[1] Every temple is surrounded by a protective walled courtyard with elaborate porched gateways. ^{[11] [12] [note 1]}

Mahavira temple

Interior of the Mahavira Temple

Rosette ceiling in Mahavira temple

Mahavira temple, also known as Arasana samghacaitya, is the temple of the Jain congregation at Arasana ^[13] (Aras in Gujarati means marble). ^{[14] [15]} This temple's marble ceiling depicts scenes from Bahubali's life. The upper panel has a depiction of a war between Bahubali 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. ^[16] Another ceiling features carvings of the past and future tirthankara with their parents. ^{[17] [18]} There are depictions of the life events of Mahavira carved on the ceiling of the temple. ^[19] The panels inside the temple also feature images of god, goddess, animals, trees etc carved in marble. ^[20] One panel feature image of a Jain Goddess with a goat's head with a child depicting Garbh kalyāṇaka of Mahavira. ^[21] The ceiling of the temple's porch houses a depiction of multi-tier Samavasarana. ^[22]

Shantinatha temple

Shantinatha temple is similar to Mahavira temple. ^[23] According to inscriptions, Shantinatha temple was originally dedicated to Rishabhanatha. ^[24] 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 chaumukha image of Rishabhanatha. ^[25]

Parshvanatha temple

The ceiling of Parshvanatha temple bears an image of Parshvanatha with a hood of snakes similar to those of Vimal Vasahi. ^[26] The temple's stone idol of Ajitnatha stands on a pedestal bearing an elephant symbol. The temple features nine highly decked dev-kulikas. The torana-stambha features carvings of vidyadevi, aparaicakra, Purusudatta, Mahakali , Vajrasnrnkhala, Vajarankusa, and Rohini. ^{[23] [27]} The temple contains images of Sarvanha and Ambika as shasan-devata with the hood of a snake overhead. ^[28]

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. ^{[23] [6]} This temple contains an image of the Hindu god Ganesha that is similar to that of Luna Vasahi and the Ranakpur Jain temple. ^[29] 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. ^[28] According to an inscription, the munisuvrata-bimba was installed in 1281 CE (VS 1338). ^[30]

Sambhavanatha temple

The Sambhavanatha temple is a small temple and a typical example of rich Chaulukyan architecture. ^[23] 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. ^[24] The original idol of the temple was later mutilated and replaced with a new idol. ^[31] The temple has a representation of the Hindu goddess Saraswati on its ceiling. ^[29]

Conservation

The temples, which have undergone repairs, renovations, and modifications, ^{[32] [33]} are managed by the Anandji Kalyanji Trust. ^[34]

See also

• Mahavira Jain temple, Osian
• Taranga Jain temple
• Ambaji

Notes

1. Courtyard temple plan are specific to Jain temple architecture. ^[12]

References

Citations

1. Desai 2007, p. 235.
2. Mehta 1970, p. 89.
3. Burgess 1885, p. 141.
4. Campbell 1880, p. 438.
5. Tandon 1986, p. 560.
6. Hegewald 2012.
7. Neubauer 1981, p. 15.
8. Ahuja 2008, p. 21.
9. Kumar 2001, p. 67.
10. Michell 2003, pp. 107–108.
11. Ward 1998, p. 171.
12. Hardy 2002, p. 81.
13. Titze & Bruhn 1998, p. 160.
14. Sonar 1985b.
15. Kumar 2001, p. 68.
16. Jain & Fischer 1978, p. 34.
17. Shah 1987, p. 103.
18. Bruhn 1960, p. 206.
19. Shah 1970, p. 310.
20. Titze & Bruhn 1998, p. 161.
21. Staszczyk 2020, p. 45.
22. Hegewald 2010, p. 8.
23. Tandon 1986, p. 56.
24. Sonar 1985a, p. 2.
25. Cort 2010, p. 131.
26. Kumar 2001, p. 158.
27. Shah 1987, p. 131.
28. Shah 1987, p. 179.
29. Kumar 2001, p. 18.
30. Shah 1987, p. 163.
31. Shah 1987, p. 134.
32. Sonar 1985a, p. 4.
33. Hegewald 2015, p. 120.
34. Yagnik 2013.

Bibliography

Books

• Burgess, James (1885). Lists of the Antiquarian Remains in the Bombay Presidency. Archaeological Survey of Western India. Vol. 11. Government Central Press.
• Campbell, James M (1880). Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Cutch, Pálanpur, and Mahi Kántha. Vol. 5. Government Central Press.
• Cort, John E. (2010). Framing the Jina: Narratives of Icons and Idols in Jain History. Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-538502-1.
• Desai, Anjali H. (2007). India Guide Gujarat. India Guide Publications. ISBN   9780978951702.
• Jain, Jyotindra; Fischer, Eberhard (1978). Jaina Iconography. Iconography of religions: Indian religions. Vol. 12 (1st ed.). Netherlands: Brill. ISBN   978-90-04-05259-8.
• Kumar, Sehdev (2001). A Thousand Petalled Lotus: Jain Temples of Rajasthan : Architecture & Iconography. Abhinav Publications. ISBN   9788170173489.
• Mehta, Jodh Sinha (1970). Abu to Udapiur. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN   978-0718921439.
• Neubauer, Jutta Jain (1981). The Stepwells of Gujarat: In Art-historical Perspective. Abhinav Publications. ISBN   9780391022843.
• Shah, Umakant Premanand (1987). Jaina-rūpa-maṇḍana: Jaina iconography. Vol. 1. Abhinav Publications. ISBN   978-81-7017-208-6.
• Tandon, O. P. (1986). Jaina Shrines in India. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN   978-81-230-2454-7.
• Titze, Kurt; Bruhn, Klaus (1998). Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence (2 ed.). Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN   978-81-208-1534-6.
• Ward, Philip (1998). Gujarat–Daman–Diu: A Travel Guide. Vol. 22. Orient Blackswan. ISBN   9788125013839.

Web

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• Hardy, Adam (2002). "Śekharī Temples". Artibus Asiae . 62 (1): 81–137. doi:10.2307/3250282. JSTOR   3250282 . Retrieved 25 January 2023.
• Hegewald, Julia A. B. (2010). "Visual and conceptual links between jaina cosmological, mythological and ritual instruments" (PDF). SOAS University of London (1). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
• Hegewald, Julia A. B. (2012). "The International Jaina Style? Māru-Gurjara Temples Under the Solaṅkīs, throughout India and in the Diaspora". Ars Orientalis. 25 (20220203). doi: 10.3998/ars.13441566.0045.005 .
• Hegewald, Julia A. B. (2015). ""The International Jaina Style? Māru-Gurjara Temples Under the Solaṅkīs, throughout India and in the Diaspora."". Ars Orientalis. 45 (20220203): 114–40. doi: 10.3998/ars.13441566.0045.005 . JSTOR   26350210 . Retrieved 25 January 2023.
• Michell, George (2003). "Review of The Temples in Kumbhāriyā, by M. A. Dhaky & U. S. Moorti". SOAS University of London . 66 (1): 107–108. JSTOR   4145718 . Retrieved 25 January 2023.
• Shah, U. P. (1970). "A Parshvanatha Sculpture in Cleveland". Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art . 57 (9): 303–11. JSTOR   25152350 . Retrieved 25 January 2023.
• Staszczyk, Agnieszka (2020). "Goat-headed Deities in Ancient Indian Sculpture". Jagiellonian University . 9. doi:10.11588/ao.2020.1.16114. JSTOR   25152350 . Retrieved 25 January 2023.
• Yagnik, Bharat (22 November 2013). "The silent force behind Shwetamber Jains". The Times of India .
• Ahuja, Ravi (April 2008). "South Asia newsletter" (PDF). SOAS University of London. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
• Sonar, Jagdish Chandra (1985). "The temples - Tradition" (PDF). shodhganga.
• "Kumbhariya". Gujarat Tourism. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
• "Kumbhariya Jain Temple, Ambaji". Gujarat Government.
• Sonar, Jagdish Chandra (1985). "Kumbhariya" (PDF). shodhganga.