Dilwara Jain Temples, Mount Abu: Things to Do, Best Time to Visit, How to Reach

Dilwara Jain Temple is among India’s most beautiful and architecturally significant Jain temples. Every day, a great number of visitors & pilgrims visit this Temple. Its biggest attraction is its fantastic architecture. Exquisite sculptures on the marble stone & high-quality craftsmanship are evident in every facet of this Temple, making it distinctive and different. Its grandiose entryway is highly breathtaking and outstanding.

Temples of Dilwara, Mount Abu

When visiting Mount Abu, you must include the Dilwara Temple in your itinerary. This architectural masterpiece is regarded as one of Jainism’s most stunning sacred places. Vimal Vasahi and Luna Vasahi are two of the most popular of the five temples in the group.

Temple of Vimal Vasahi

The Temple Vimal Vasahi is the first in the group devoted to Lord Adinath, the first Tirthankar of Jains. This Temple was erected in 1021 by King Vimal Shah, the Solanki king of Gujarat. It is built in an open square space and is encircled by a walkway. The Temple’s most beautiful feature is carvings on doors, columns, corridors, and arches, with a ceiling covered with murals and floral patterns depicting ancient events.

Navchowki is magnificent rectangular shape ceilings. While the Gudh Mandap, the main hall, houses Lord Adinath’s deity, another massive hall, Rang Mahal, is renowned for its 12 bejeweled pillars, sculpted arches, and a spectacular central dome. Another structure with carved elephants is the Elephant Cell, also known as Hathishala.

Luna Vasahi Temple

This shrine is devoted to Shri Nemi Nathji, the 22nd Jain saint. It was built in 1230 A.D. by the Tejpal & Vastupal (Porwad brothers), both ministers of Virdhawal, the Vaghela monarch of Gujarat. It’s incredible to behold a black marble statue of Shri Nemi Nathji among 360 minutely created small idols of Jain Tirthankar in a hall called Rag Mandapa. Maharana Kumbha of Mewar constructed the Temple’s pillars. The Temple Vimal Vashi inspired the Temple erected in honor of Vastupal & Tejpal’s late brother Lunig.

The shrine has a similar construction to Vimal Vasahi, but the sculpture inside is more intricate. The main hall, or Rang mandap, has a central dome that swings a sizeable magnificent pendant with exquisite carving. Seventy-two figurines of Tirthankaras in a sitting position are arranged in a circular band, and 360 miniature figures of Jain monks are placed in another circular band slightly below this band. The two niches of Jethani (wife of an elder brother), and Dewrani (wife of a younger brother), the wives of Vastupal & Tejpal, are significant aspects of the Temple.

The Temple Shri Rishabdaoji

Bhima Shah, a minister from the Gujarat kingdom, established the Temple Shri Rishabdaoji. Like the other temples in Dilwara, it also has a Gudu Mandapa and a Navchowki.

The Temple houses a prominent metal figure of the first Tirthankara, Adinath (Rishabha Dev ), carved in five metals. The building of the corridor and the Rang mandap appears to have been abandoned. According to the inscriptions, the old disfigured idol was replaced and put in 1468-69 A.D., weighing 108 maunds (four metric tonnes). The artwork was created by artist ‘Deta’ and is 8ft high by 5.5ft wide.

Temple of Mahavir Swami

The modest Temple Mahavir Swami is devoted to Lord Mahavir, the 24th Jain Tirthankara Lord. This Temple, which was built in 1582, has many paintings on the ceilings of its portico.

Annually, thousands of devotees go on this religiously significant pilgrimage. With its magnetic pull, this old Temple also attracts tourists. Dilwara Temples are a site to see and praise for the aesthetic splendor of their spectacular structure. Flowers, birds, court scenes, horses, dancing girls, elephants, and other themes are skillfully carved. There are three Tirthankara idols on each side of Mahavira. Just outside the Temple is a rectangular marble slab with a triangular stone above it that contains 133 pictures of miniature-sized Tirthankaras with a bigger image in the center.

Things to Do in Dilwara Jain Temple

Take a stroll through the temple grounds to find serenity and tranquillity. Explore Jainism’s rich history by visiting these temples & learning about their tales. Visit the town to get a rich regal experience that can only be found in Rajasthan.

Trekking & climbing in the green hills around the temples is recommended. A variety of hiking day tours are offered in the region. You may also detach from the shrine to ascend the neighboring Shanti Shikhar hill, which offers breathtaking views.

Best Time to Visit Dilwara Jain Temple

Mount Abu is a hill station, and the weather is pleasant for most of the year. Winter temperatures average approximately 10 ° Celsius, monsoon temperatures range from 17 to 24 ° C, while summer temperatures remain below 30 ° Celsius. You can visit throughout the year.

Dilwara Jain Temple Opening and Closing Timings:

For other travelers:

Opening Timing: 12:00 PM
Closing Timing: 06:00 PM

For Jain Community:

Opening Timing: 06:00 AM
Closing Timing: 06:00 PM

It is open all days of the week. There are no time restrictions for Jains.

How to Reach Dilwara Jain Temple?

The Dilwara Jain Temple is among Rajasthan’s most famous temples. For the Jains, it is a holy pilgrimage spot. It is located just over 2.5 kilometers from the city center and is thus easily accessible.

By Road:

You can choose Delwara Road or Pilgrim Lane if you’re driving alone. Either path will take more than an hour to reach the Temple. There are presently no buses that run along this route. However, other public transportation choices, including auto taxis and rickshaws, can reach Dilwara Jain Mandir. Taxis and vehicles are available just outside the train station or bus stop.

By Air:

The closest airport is Udaipur, approximately 185 kilometers from Mount Abu. The Mount Abu Road Railway Station is 28 kilometers from the Temple.

The location is well connected to the state’s and country’s major cities. The Temple is open to the public from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Attractions Nearby Dilwara Jain Temple:

Adhar Devi Temple
Doodh Baori
Point of Sunset
Brahma Kumari World Spiritual University
Government Museum
Shanti Shikhar
Honeymoon Getaway
Shri Raghunath Ji Temple

Interesting Dilwara Temple Facts and Trivia

The Dilwara complex contains five temples dedicated to various Jain Tirthankaras.
All five shrines were constructed at various historical points by multiple persons, including a Solanki monarch of Mandlik, Gujarat, and Bhima Singh.
The Mahaveer Swami Temple’s ceiling is covered with exquisite paintings that depict ancient art & Jain mythology.
The Elephant Cell in Vimal Vasahi Temple contains many elephant statues.
The shrines had been demolished by the fury of monarchs such as Allauddin Khiji, and restorations began almost ten years later, in 1321. Another persistent but long-lasting devastation resulted from the passage of time. The second renovation occurred in 1906 and then again from 1950 to 1965.

Conclusion

Rajasthan, the desert state, also has a challenging mountain destination in Mount Abu. A hill station surrounded by the Aravalli range. Mount Abu is the desert state’s crown treasure. The city has a prominent footprint on India’s cultural map due to its rich legacy and culture. Visit the Temple while seeing Mount Abu’s other sights to gain a feel of what architectural magnificence implies. When exploring Mount Abu, you must take advantage of the Dilwara Temple. This architectural marvel is recognized as one of Jainism’s most beautiful sacred sites.

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