A 15th century temple that has 1,444 pillars, each of which is unique in terms of the designs carved on it, would be an ideal balm for the soul for anyone looking to escape the tortuous combination of crushing deadlines at work and a high-stress city life. Especially if the temple is surrounded by picturesque hills, rivers and forests, and has a fascinating history to it.
Such a temple has stood proudly for almost 600 years, around 90 km north of Udaipur city in the Pali district of Rajasthan, the land of legendary warriors and timeless architectural monuments. Here, nestled in a valley of the Aravalli hills, stands the massive, 50,000-sq. ft Ranakpur Jain temple, one of the five holiest places for Jains in India.
This three-storeyed, marble treasure house of pillars and cellars, built over a huge and high plinth, is built in the memory of Lord Rishabhadeva, the first Tirthankara of the Jains. The rivulet Maghi adds to the beauty of the temple, and the forest around it lends solitude and grandeur to the overall ambience.
The temple was built during the reign of the legendary Rajput ruler of Mewar, Rana Kumbha. Legend has it that Dharana Shah, a local Jain businessman, saw in his dreams the mythical celestial aircraft, Nalinigulma Viman, considered the most beautiful airplane of the Gods. Inspired by the dream, Dharana Shah approached the king for land to build a temple similar to the Viman. The king donated the land, after which Shah commenced his search for the man who would build the temple.
Shah gave the task to Deepak, a carefree sculptor-designer, whose design plan perfectly resembled the Nalinigulma Viman. It is said it took more than 50 years for the temple to be completed and cost Rs 99 lakh.
The centuries-old devotional architecture looks as fresh as if it were carved only yesterday. The pillars, each with different design carvings, are about 40 ft in height. The pillars have been so placed that none of them obstructs the view of Lord Adinath from any place in the temple, making it not only an architectural, but also a scientific marvel. The figures etched on the pillars — nymphs in myriad dancing postures — seem to be talking to one another. The domes and the ceiling depict the historical past.
The main chambers or Gabhara (sanctum sanctorum) have four 6-ft images of the Jain God Adinath facing the four sides. The number of big and small shrines in the temple complex adds up to 84, denoting the 84 lakh cycles of life on earth that one has to go through before attaining salvation from birth and death.
Under the huge plinth of the temple, there are nine cellars that have a dual purpose. One, to give strength to the temple against natural calamities. And two, to preserve the sacred images against human marauders, who routinely ravaged the northern part of the country since the 7th century.
Gazing at the temple and its splendour invokes a sense of pride in our ancestors, and inspires one to rise above false egos, greed and pettiness. Too much? Just get out there.
Author: Joginder Chawla | Source: BusinessWorld [August 07, 2010]