History, Importance, Group of Temple, Timings, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Dilwara Temple, Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India
The gorgeous temple complex of Dilwara Temples or Delvada Temples, located in the plump greenery of Aravalli hills of Mount Abu in Rajasthan. It is a beautiful pilgrimage site and one of the most famous site of Rajasthan for the Jain community and famous tourism site for others due to its marvellous architecture. The temple was built by Vimal Shah and designed by Vastupala who was then Jain Minister of Dholka between 11th to 13 century.
Dilwara Temple is known for its extraordinary beautiful architecture, which shows Jain Values like self-discipline and honesty. From the outside, according to the general feedback, the temple complex looks quite simple in design, but once you go inside you can see that it will completely beyond your expectation. It has stunning design with patterns carved on the walls, roots, arches, ceilings and pillars.
There are five attractive temples, which are named after the small villages of Dilwara. These temples are Vimal Vasahi, dedicated to the 1st Jain, Tirthankar Shri Adinatha built by Vimal Shah in year 1031. Luna Vasahi temple dedicated to the 22nd Jain Tirthankar Shri Neminath was built by Vastupal and Tejpal in 1230. Third one is Pittalhar temple, which has been dedicated to first Jain Tirtankar Shri Adinatha and built by Bhima Sheth. Parshvanath is the fourth one which has been dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankar Shri Parshvanatha which is tallest in all and built by Mandinka clan between 1458-59 A.D. And 5th one is Mahavir Swami, dedicated to the last Jain Tirthankar Shri Mahavirswami built in 1582.
Vimal Vasahi and Luna Vasahi are the most famous among all these five temples. Each of these shrines has a Rang Mandap, central hall, sanctum sanctorum & innermost sanctum where idols of lord is placed and also each has Navchowki, a group of nine heavily ornamented ceilings. Along with these some other spellbound structures are Kirthi Stumbh & Hathishala.
This is how Dilwara temples are one of the best specimens of craftsmanship, minutely carving out so brilliant and intricate a shape out of a block of stone. Thus Dilwara temple becomes the tourist's paradise and devotees.
How to reach Jain Dilwara Temple, Mount Abu
Jain Dilwara temple is just 2.5 km from Mount Abu. As Mount Abu is popular hill-station and holiday destination of Rajasthan and near Gujarat border, it is very well connected to all major cities of India via Road, Rail and Air network. Abu Road is the nearest railway station just 30 KM from Mount Abu, and you can get rail routes to Delhi, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Jaipur, Mumbai etc. The nearest airport from Mount Abu is Udaipur at distance of 200 km and another one is Ahmedabad Airport at just 221 KM from you can get domestic and international flight at high frequency. Mount Abu is well connected via road network with all major cities of the country. You can get frequent government and private buses for Mount Abu to all the major neighbouring cities. You can also hire a cab to reach Mount Abu from all nearby cities like Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Jaisalmer etc.
