Some of the Jain Temples in Rajasthan are :
Rikhabdev : Rikhabdev was the first Jain Thirthankar. The temple
built here is dedicated to him. The Vaishnavas believe that, he was the 8th
incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple is situated 40 km away from Udaipur.
The
temple
belongs to the Svetambara sect of Jains but at present it is under the
control of the of State Government of Rajasthan. The idol is better called
Kesariyaji drived from the name kesar or saffron which is put on the
forehead of the Lord . The town of Rikhabdev is also called Dhulev by the
name of the Bhil tribal Dhula who once protected the idol. The Bhils are
very loyal to the Rikhabdevji and call it Kalaji. The idol is believed to
very old and is suppose to fulfill the wishes of its devotees.
The Temples at Mount Abu : The inscriptions say that, Mount Abu was
originally the seat of Saivism. Jainism was introduced here in 11th century
only. The Dilwara temples present here are the most important Jain center of
India. The first jain temple Vimala Vasahi was built in 1032 A.D. by Vimala
Shah, minister of Bhimadeva-I. The Vimala Vasahi temple is the earliest and
the most important of the temples here. It is dedicated to the first Jain
Tirthankara, Adi Nath. The temple is entirely carved out of white marble.
Chaumukha Temple : This 15th century temple also called Adishwar
Temple, built by Sheth Dhanna, is the largest and most complex Jain temple
in India. This four-faced temple is designed in form of a Nalinigulm Vimana
(heavenly aircraft), with three storeys along with several pavilions
accomodated on the temple base itself. The temple has 29 halls, 80 domes &
pavilions include 1,444 pillars - each of them intricately carved. The
carved porticoes around the shrine have a spire adorned with little bells on
the top. The inner sanctum is enshrined with a four faced white marble image
of Lord Adinath or Rishabhdev, surrounded by several other smaller shrines
and domes.
Sri Mahavirji Temple : The town of Sri Mahavirji is one the most
popular Jain pilgrimages in India for here is one of the holiest Jain
temples in Rajasthan. This temple is situated 110 km from Sawai Madhopur.
The Shri Mahavirji temple on the banks of the river Gambhir was built in
white marble in honour of Mahavira, the 24th Jain saint. A huge statue of
Shantinath, one of the Jain fordmakers, stands here at the height of 32
feet, casting a noble eye on disciples below.
Juna Temple : The chief claim to fame of Juna is a Jain temple which
was built around the 12th or the 13th century. This is known from an
inscription carved on a stone pillar situated right adjacent to the
temple.This temple is located 42 km from Barmer.
Osiyan Temple : Osiyan has at least 15 Jain Temples, the most
splendid being the Mahavira temple dedicated to the 24th and last Jain
Prophets. The temple were built around 775 A.D and the smaller shrines were
added to it till about the 15th century. The temple complex sits atop a
terrace & is built in sandstone, having an ornamented roof.
