Old temples of Rajasthan

Old temples of Rajasthan

Excellent examples of architecture can be seen in the temples of Rajasthan also. The temples of pushkar and Arbudachal are full of the artistry of ancient architecture. Along with these, the pillars as found in cities, remains of Baudh and Jain religions, Baudh Stupas (Udaipur) etc. speak of the presence of ancient architecture in Rajasthan. Further, the museum of Bikaner is adequately rich from the view point of sculpture where the preserved ancient idols give glimpses of the prosperity of Rajasthani architecture.

Neelkanth temple, Alwar

The Sheeleshwar Mahadev temple of Jhalrapatan is the first chronographic temple of rajasthan the main part of which was constructed in the year 689. The place of Gurjar Parihars is unparalleled in cultural panorama (setting). The art movement linked to them has been named Mahamaru style which extended up to MaruPradesh, Amaneri (Bandikuin), Chittor, Baroli Vali,north Medpat and Aparmal.

 

The impression of this style are visible even in the Hindu and Jain temples of 8th to 10th century. Religious tolerance as observed in these temples is worth seeing. Both the Surya temple and the Shiv temple can be placed under the Medpat Aparmal branch of the Mahamarustyle. The impact of the art which flourished under the patronage of Solankis is explicit on Samidheshwar temple (Chittor) built in 12th century.

 

The old temples of Osian like old Surya temple off Sachiya Mata, Mahaveer temple, all the three  Harihar temples, temple of Peeplara were constructed between year 750 to 825 A.D. This much of tolerant religions at one place is rare elsewhere. Similarly with the amalgamation of Baudh, Gupta and Jain arts, the Pratihar architecture and sculpture so came out in Osian that it later on left the impression of Pratihar culture over whole of north India.

 

The tradition of the temples of Baroli, Ramgarh ,Menal, Kansuwa, Kawaji of southern east facing region in south Rajasthan deserve special mention. The impact of Mahamal style is visible on these temples whereas impact of Gujrat is seen in western southern temples.

 

The region adjacent to Gurjatri (Gujrat) in south-western Rajasthan has been the conservator and nurturer of Jain and old Indo-Aryan (Apabhransa) art. On the other hand, it has been capable of manifesting the architectural of Mahagurjar style which has been in the tradition of the Solank in different places. Ambika Mata Jagat (about 925 A.D.), temple of Sas-Bahu, Nagda (Approx., 975 A.D). Lakuleesh temple Ek Lingji (872 A.D.) and the temples of places like Aahar, Arthuna etc. deserve special mention from the said point of view.

 

Jain culture has a long tradition of temple building in Rajasthan. Jain religion started flourishing in Rajasthan from seventh century and its dominance over the state administration went on increasing. Being highly rich elite class the followers of Jain religion got constructed a large number of temples in Rajasthan which is an ongoing tradition even today. In western Rajasthan the temple of Mahaveerji, Ambika temple got constructed by the end of 8thcentury in Osian, temple at Patiala (Jodhpur) constructed in the year 861 and the temples like Mahaveer temple, Ghanarao, Parshwanath temple,Sadri; Navlakha Parshvanath temple, Pali; Adinath temple, Narlai, and Narol etc. as got constructed from 8th to 12th century deserve special mention.

 

South-western Rajasthan has been the citadel of Jain religion. Consequent upon which the cities like Bhinmal, Jalore, Sirohi, Abu etc. had been the major commercial centres of the Jain business class. Dilwara temple of Mount Abu is the absolute culmination of Jain art and architecture. Sculpture, embroidery, host of lotus and the ornamental aspect make the inner beauty of the temple to reach the heights of excellence. The Chaturmukh Jain temples of Ranakpur are counted among the artistic temples of 15th century.

 

As well the invasions of the Muslims the temples began to be ruined the mansions (haveli) themselves were given the shape of temples. Consequently, later on construction of mansion style temples in large scale came in vogue in the erstwhile princely states of Rajasthan.

 

The architectural technology of the Jain temple of Dilwara, Jain temples of Ranakpur, Shiva temple, Harsh Mata temple of Ambaneri, temples of Osain is of superb structure. Some temples like the Neelkanth temple of Kumbhalgarh, temple of Eklingji etc. have been constructed in the form of forts. Some of the temples have the painting of Krishna Leela.

 

Later on, the shape and form of temples also got transformed due to the impact of Mughal style as it can be witnessed in the Devi temples of Bikaner, templeof Shrinathji, Rishavdev temple of Udaipur, Shiromaniji temple of Jaipur etc. Several Hindu temples were built under the patronage of those Rajputs who being humiliated by the Mughals came to settle in Rajasthan from northern India. Among these, the temples of Nathdwara, Kankroli,Dungarpur, Kota, Jaipur etc. are the major ones.

 

 

Pillar/Stambha

The Jai Stambha of Kumbha as famous by the name of Kirti Stambha in petrographs is distinct and excellent of all as against Ashoka Stambha, Qutubminar and Charminar" (Hyderabad) etc. of India. Kumbha after defeating Sultan Mohammed of Malwa got it constructed as a monument of his victory. This was constructed between Vikram Samvat 1497 to Samvat 1517. This 122 ft. Stambha stands crowned with glory on a 12ft. high and 42 ft. long and broad rostrum.

 

The stambha has nine stories and have staircase within to go up. Each story has smallish Windows in all the four directions. The whole pillar is adorned or embellished with idols. The idol of Janardan graces the main entrance or gateway of the temple. Idols of the major Hindu Gods and Goddesses have been installed in the different stories but in the eight storey there are four eulogical citations which are now difficult to read.

 

 

Water-Pool and Gardens

The hobby of getting water pools or reservoirs constructed seem to have developed among the Rajput kings only after their contacts with the Mughals for prior to this the lone water pool that could be seen is the Anasagar like which was got constructed by Annadev. The architecture of the water pools is worth seeing. Some of the water pools like the Anasagar of Ajmer, Rajasamand of Udaipur, Phoolsagar of Bundi, Ranisar of Jodhpur and Soorsagar of Bikaner etc. are beautifully constructed. 

Cenotaphs, staircases and barahadarees etc. are also found erected in some of the water pools. Few natural lakes were also transformed into water pools as in the case of Pichhola lake of Udaipur, Gev Sagar of Dungarpur, Rajsamundra of Rajnagar etc. Trees have been planted and cenotaphs with beautiful paintings have been erected around these lakes.

 

Garden culture also flourished in Rajasthan due to the impact of Mughals. Prior to this huge gardens were, however, raised by Rana Mokal, Rana Kumbha, Raja Man Singh, Raja Jaswant Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh etc. wherein sewers or drains, fountains and Barahadarees etc. were also got constructed. RamNiwas garden of Jaipur is a garden of this class.

 

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