https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Mahavira_Jain_temple%2C_OsianMahavira Jain temple, Osian - Revision history2026-11-02T17:59:14ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mahavira_Jain_temple,_Osian&diff=514930&oldid=prevErmelindaDez: Created basic place more to come - done2025-02-15T12:41:06Z<p>Created basic place more to come - done</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Śvetāmbara Jain temple in Rajasthan, India}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}<br />
{{Infobox religious building<br />
| name = Mahavira Jain temple<br />
| religious_affiliation = [[Jainism]]<br />
| image = File:KITLV 88217 - Unknown - Jaina temple Osia in British India - 1897.tif<br />
| image_size = <br />
| alt = Mahavira Jain temple<br />
| caption = Mahavira Jain Temple in 1897<br />
| location = [[Osian, Jodhpur|Osian]], [[Jodhpur District|Jodhpur]], [[Rajasthan]]<br />
| map_type = India Rajasthan<br />
| map_alt = <br />
| map_caption = Location of Mahavira Derasar in Rajasthan<br />
| coordinates = {{coord|26|43|28.4|N|72|53|30.4|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}}<br />
| elevation_m = <br />
| elevation_footnotes = <br />
| deity = [[Mahavira]]<br />
| sect = [[Śvetāmbara]]<br />
| festivals = [[Mahavir Janma Kalyanak]]<br />
| temple_quantity = 1<br />
| monument_quantity = <br />
| established = 783 A.D.<br />
| creator = <br />
| governing_body = Seth Shri Mangalsinghji Ratansinghji Dev ki Pedhi<br />
| website = <br />
| architecture_style = [[Gurjara-Pratihara]]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
The '''Mahavira Jain temple''' is built in [[Osian, Jodhpur|Osian]] of [[Jodhpur District]], [[Rajasthan]]. The temple is an important pilgrimage of the [[Oswal Jain]] community. This temple is the oldest surviving Jain temple in Western India and was built during the reign of Mahārāja Śrī [[Vatsaraja|Vatsarāja]] of Imperial [[Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty|Pratihāras]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The ancient temples of Osian|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/the-ancient-temples-of-osian/1676462|access-date=2021-11-24|publisher=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)]]|language=en}}</ref> <br />
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== History ==<br />
The Mahavira Temple is an important [[Tirtha (Jainism)|tirtha]] for [[Jainism|Jains]]. According to an inscription found at [[Sachiya Mata Temple]] dating back to 956 A.D., it was built during the [[Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty]] by King Vatsaraja in 783 AD,{{sfn|Kalia|1982|p=2}}{{sfn|Panikar|2010|p=309}}{{sfn|Bose|2015|p=148}} making it the oldest surviving Jain temple in Western India.{{sfn|Cort|1998|p=112}} According to Jain legends, [[acharya (Jainism)|Acharya]] [[Ratnaprabhasuri]] in ({{circa|457}} BCE) restored the life of son of a prominent brahman following this even the villagers converted to Jainism and this place for origination of [[Oswal]] community.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=149}}{{sfn|Hassan|1989|p=260}} Witnessing the power of Ratnaprabhasuri Goddess [[Chamunda]] was compelled to become a Jain vegetarian deity{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=149}}{{sfn|Babb|2015|p=123}} and became the protector deity of the temple, protecting devotees who worship image of Mahavira in the temple.{{sfn|Babb|2004|p=169}} Ratnaprabhasuri then named her [[Sachiya Mata]] as she truthfully advised Ratnaprabhasuri to stay in Osian during [[Chaturmas]].{{sfn|Qvarnström|2010|p=42}} The idol of Mahavira was discovered from buried at temple site.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=149}}<br />
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The [[Sachiya Mata Temple]] also equally old and important situated on a hill north-east of this temple enables us some to understand the social history of that period. The [[Sachiya Mata Temple]] has many decorative features of a Jain temple and its establishment can be attributed to the Jains. Jains worship ''Sacchiya Mata'' as a ''samyaktvi'' ({{Translation|one who has the [[Ratnatraya]]}}) demi-goddess that protects the land and the clan of the [[Oswal|Oswals]] that was established by [[Ratnaprabhasuri|Acharya Ratnaprabhasuri]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.calcutta.06227/page/n253/mode/2up |title=Indian Antiquary: A Journal of Oriental Research, Vol-19, Issue no.-January-December}}</ref><br />
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The clan of [[Oswal|Oswals]] is said to have been established by [[Ratnaprabhasuri]] in this village. He turned [[Chamunda]] vegetarian and consecrated her as ''Sacchiya Mata'' ({{Translation|goddess who is on the path of truth}}) as she followed the true path of non-violence. She was also consecrated as the protecting deity of the clan of [[Oswal|Oswals]] and of the temple of [[Mahavira]] at [[Osian, Jodhpur]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.calcutta.06227/page/n253/mode/2up |title=Indian Antiquary: A Journal of Oriental Research, Vol-19, Issue no.-January-December}}</ref><br />
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An inscription dating 953 CE found in the temple states that Osian was rich with decorated temples of every caste.{{sfn|Kalia|1982|p=2}} The temple had its first renovation in 956 AD.{{sfn|Cort|1998|p=133}}{{sfn|Singh|1998|p=720}} George Michell describes the existing main temple as "mostly 11th century", with parts from the 8th century. The [[torana]] (ornate gateway) is from 1015 CE.{{sfn|Michell|1990|p=302}}{{sfn|IGNCA|p=1}} The temple was plundered by Muslim rulers, and none of the original idols survived. In 1016 CE, the temple was restored, and a [[manastambha]] was constructed.{{sfn|Titze|Bruhn|1998|p=152}} The temple was later renovated in the 12th century.{{sfn|Kalia|1982|p=3}}<br />
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== Architecture ==<br />
[[File:Osian 17-67.jpg|thumb|left|[[Jivantasvami]] image of [[Tirthankara]] carved on ''Torana'' ]]<br />
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The Jain temple is dedicated to [[Mahavira]] and belongs to [[Śvētāmbara]] sect of Jainism. The temple is considered a testimony of architecture Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty.{{sfn|Singh|Lal|2003|p=1043}} This a large temple{{sfn|Kalia|1982|p=4}} surrounded by enclosing wall consisting of [[garbhagriha]], [[mandapa]]. The temple features a sanctum, a closed hall, an open porch and an ornate Torana (gateway) and exquisite sculptures.{{sfn|Brown|2013|p=405}}{{sfn|Behl|2008}} The temple has one closed and two pillared halls elongated the axis of principal shrine.{{sfn|Hegewald|2015|pp=117-118}} The [[torana]] in front of the sanctum is rich with ornate carvings of [[tirthankara]]s, 12 in [[padmasan]] posture and 4 [[kayotsarga]] positions.{{sfn|Kalia|1982|p=5}} The pillars of the temple feature intricate artwork are particular ''Maha-Maru'' tradition.{{sfn|Brown|2013|p=405}}{{sfn|Neubauer|1981|p=34}} The temple has seven subsidiaries, four on the eastern and three of the western side of the sanctum.{{sfn|Vasavada|2001}} These shrines are joined by ''pradaksinapatha''. Eastern parts of the shrine have figures of Mahavira and [[Parshavanatha]].{{sfn|Kalia|1982|p=4}} The [[Shikhara]] of the garbhagriha and subsidiary shrine are crowned with amalaka and kalasa.{{sfn|IGNCA|p=1}} The shikhara above mulprasad was constructed later with [[Māru-Gurjara architecture]].{{sfn|Kalia|1982|p=5}}<br />
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The temple has a large image of Mahavira covered with {{convert|400|g}} of gold is placed inside the garbhagriha.{{sfn|Dobbie|2002|p=43}} The outer and inner walls of the sanctum and closed hall are profusely decorated with carvings of ''[[Guardians of the directions|Asta-Dikpalas]]'', ''[[yaksha]]—[[yakshi]]'', [[tirthankara]], vidyadevi, and other deities. Vidyadevi sculptures are portrayed as playing musical instruments. The northern, southern, western walls of the temple have carvings of [[Neminatha]]'s life like birth, war, renunciation, etc. The [[antarala]] ceiling of every shrine in the temple complex is rich with carvings of flowers.{{sfn|Kalia|1982|p=4}} ''Dev-Kulika temple'' is also part of the temple complex.{{sfn|Kumar|2001|p=54}}<br />
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There are three {{convert|5.7|ft}} [[Jivantasvami]] images inside temple. Two of these idols are identical, with one having inscription dated 1044 C.E. that identifies the idol to be of [[Rishabhanatha]].{{sfn|Cort|2010|pp=163-164}} These idols depicts Tirthankara in [[Kayotsarga]] posture with {{lang|sa|ashta-pratiharya}} (barring lion-throne), yaksha—yakshi, [[mahavidya]]s, and miniature Jina figures on {{lang|sa|patrika}}.{{sfn|Tiwari|1993|pp=849-850}}<br />
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A [[Dādābadī]] housing footprints of Jain monks is also present near the Mahavir temple.{{sfn|Henderson|Weisgrau|2016|p=282}}<br />
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Mahavira temple is one of the most renowned temples in India. The elaborate architecture is comparable to that [[Parshvanatha temple, Khajuraho]] and [[Ranakpur Jain temple]].{{sfn|Titze|Bruhn|1998|p=152}}<br />
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== Gallery ==<br />
<gallery><br />
File:Osian 17-70.jpg|Sikhara of the temple<br />
File:Osian 17-63.jpg|Detailed carving on wall<br />
File:Osian 17-68.jpg|Temple side view<br />
File:Osian 17-69.jpg|Shikhar<br />
File:Osiya-temple & architecture 06.jpg|Carving of Parshvanath on wall<br />
File:KITLV 88216 - Unknown - Pillars in a Jaina temple Osia in British India - 1897.tif|Pillars in Jaina temple Osia in India 1897<br />
</gallery><br />
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== Conservation ==<br />
The temple has undergone repairs, renovations, and modifications.{{sfn|Kuiper|2010|p=312}} The temple is protected by [[Archaeological Survey of India]].{{sfn|ASI}}<br />
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==See also==<br />
{{commons category}}<br />
* [[Jainism in Rajasthan]]<br />
* [[Naugaza Digambar Jain temple]]<br />
* [[Swayamprabhasuri]]<br />
* [[Porwal]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
=== Citation ===<br />
{{reflist|23em}}<br />
<br />
=== Bibliography ===<br />
==== Books ====<br />
{{refbegin|30em}}<br />
* {{cite book| last=Bose | first=Melia Belli |url={{Google books|6dR0CgAAQBAJ|page=148|plainurl=yes}} |title=Royal Umbrellas of Stone: Memory, Politics, and Public Identity in Rajput Funerary Art | series=Brill's Indological Library | publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] | location=[[New Delhi]] | date=25 August 2015 | isbn=9789004300569 }} <br />
* {{cite book| last=Babb | first=Lawrence A. |url={{Google books|IsmGAwAAQBAJ|page=169|plainurl=yes}} |title=Alchemies of Violence: Myths of Identity and the Life of Trade in Western India | publisher=[[SAGE Publishing]] | location=[[New Delhi]] | date=10 August 2004 | isbn=9788132103219 }} <br />
* {{cite book| last=Babb | first=Lawrence A. |url={{Google books|6VtwDwAAQBAJ|pg=PT123|plainurl=yes}} |title=Understanding Jainism | publisher=[[Dunedin Academic Press]] | series=Understanding Faith | date=28 May 2015 | isbn=9781780465357 }} <br />
* {{cite book| last=Brown | first=Percy | author-link=Percy Brown (art historian) |url={{Google books|0kd9CgAAQBAJ|page=405|plainurl=yes}} |title=Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Period) | year=2013 | orig-year=1942 | publisher=[[Toby Press|Read Books Ltd.]] | isbn=9781447498575 }} <br />
* {{cite book| last=Cort | first=John E. | authorlink=John E. Cort |url={{Google books|WWfnXbVWjKcC|plainurl=yes}} |title=Open Boundaries: Jain Communities and Cultures in Indian History |date=1998|publisher=[[SUNY Press]]|isbn=9780791437865 }}<br />
* {{cite book| last=Cort | first=John E. | authorlink=John E. Cort |url={{Google books|MDBpq23-0QoC|page=163|plainurl=yes}} |title=Framing the Jina: Narratives of Icons and Idols in Jain History |date=2010|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn=9780199739578 }}<br />
* {{cite book | last=Dobbie | first=Aline | url={{Google books|nk72ebIB1iEC|page=43|plainurl=yes}} | title=India: The Peacock's Call | publisher=Aline Dobbie's India books | date=2002 | isbn=9781843940104 }} <br />
* {{cite book |last=Dundas |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Dundas |title=The Jains |url={{Google books|tNabNG3jAi4C|page=149|plainurl=yes}} |edition=Second |date=2002 |orig-year=1992 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0-415-26605-5 |location=London and New York }}<br />
* {{cite book|last1=Hassan | first1=Syed Siraj ul |title=The Castes and Tribes of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions | volume=1 | url={{Google books|lYSd-3yL9h0C|page=260|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Asian Educational Services]] | year=1989 |isbn=9788120604889 }}<br />
* {{cite book|last1=Henderson|first1=Carol |last2=Weisgrau | first2=Maxine |title=Raj rhapsodies: tourism, heritage and the seduction of history | series=New Directions in Tourism Analysis | url={{Google books|7gnPCwAAQBAJ|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Routledge]] | date=23 March 2016|isbn=978-1-3170-7161-7}}<br />
* {{cite book | last=Kalia | first=Asha | url={{Google books|3n-sycLo3XQC|plainurl=yes}} | title=Art of Osian Temples: Socio-economic and Religious Life in India, 8th-12th Centuries A.D. | year=1982 | publisher=Abhinav Publications | isbn=9780391025585 }}<br />
* {{cite book | last=Kuiper | first=Kathleen | url={{Google books|c8PJFLeURhsC|page=312|plainurl=yes}} | title=The Culture of India | series=Understanding India | publisher=[[Rosen Publishing]] | date=2010 | isbn=978-1-61530-149-2 }}<br />
* {{cite book | last=Kumar | first=Sehdev | url={{Google books|nSDACkmA_ukC|page=54|plainurl=yes}} | title=A Thousand Petalled Lotus: Jain Temples of Rajasthan : Architecture & Iconography | publisher=Abhinav Publications | date=2001 | isbn=9788170173489 }}<br />
* {{cite book |last=Michell |first=George |title=The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India: Buddhist, Jain, Hindu | volume=1 |url={{Google books|eqtNAAAAYAAJ|page=302|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |date=1990 |isbn=9780670806966 }} <br />
* {{cite book|last=Neubauer|first=Jutta Jain|url={{Google books|61fSwBF4bbYC|page=34|plainurl=yes}} |title=The Stepwells of Gujarat: In Art-historical Perspective |publisher=Abhinav Publications |date=1981|isbn=9780391022843}}<br />
* {{cite book|last=Panikar|first=Agustin|url={{Google books|oCPtDwAAQBAJ|page=309|plainurl=yes}} |title=Jainism: History, Society, Philosophy and Practice | volume=24 | series=Lala Sunder Lal Jain research series |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]] | location=[[Delhi]] |date=2010|isbn=978-81-208-3460-6}}<br />
* {{cite book|last=Qvarnström|first=Olle|url={{Google books|5_EdL2FtIqQC|page=42|plainurl=yes}} |title=Jainism and Early Buddhism: Essays in Honor of Padmanabh S. Jaini |publisher=Jain Publishing Company | issue=1 | year=2010|isbn=978-0-89581-956-7 }} <br />
* {{cite book |last1=Titze |first1=Kurt | last2=Bruhn | first2=Klaus |title=Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence |url={{Google books|loQkEIf8z5wC|page=152|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]] |edition=2 |date=1998 |isbn=978-81-208-1534-6 }} <br />
* {{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Kumar Suresh | last2=Lal | first2=Rajendra Behari |title=Gujarat | volume=22 | issue=3 | series=People of India |url={{Google books|IWrTs5yt1DkC|page=1043|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Popular Prakashan]] |date=2003 |isbn=978-81-799-1106-8 }} <br />
* {{cite book |last=Singh |first=K.S. |title=Rajasthan | volume=38 | issue=2 | series=Anthropological survey of India |url={{Google books|vm_KCE4XXPMC|page=720|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Popular Prakashan]] | year=1998 |isbn=978-81-715-4769-2 }}<br />
{{refend}}<br />
<br />
==== Web ====<br />
{{refbegin|30em}}<br />
* {{cite journal | last=Hegewald | first=Julia A. B. | title=THE INTERNATIONAL JAINA STYLE? Māru-Gurjara Temples Under the Solaṅkīs, throughout India and in the Diaspora | journal=Ars Orientalis | volume=45 | year=2015 | issue=20220203 | pages=114–140 | doi=10.3998/ars.13441566.0045.005 | jstor=26350210 | doi-access=free }}<br />
* {{cite journal | last=Tiwari | first=Maruti Nandan | title=Jivantasvami images: A study in concept and iconography | jstor=44143087 | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44143087 | journal=[[Indian History Congress]] | volume=54 | year=1993 | pages=847–856 }}<br />
* {{cite journal | last=Vasavada | first=Rabindra | title=Temple of Mahavira Osiaji | series=Monograph Series on Historic Temples | url=https://architexturez.net/doc/az-cf-21245 | journal=[[Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum]] | location=Ahmedabad | date=2001 }}<br />
* {{cite news | last=Behl | first=Benoy K. | title=Temples of peace | url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/arts-and-culture/art/article30196999.ece | work=[[The Hindu]] | date=2008-08-01 }} <br />
* {{cite web| author=ASI |url=http://asi.nic.in/protected-monuments-in-rajasthan|title=Protected Monuments in Rajasthan|publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]] | access-date=20 July 2021 }}<br />
* {{cite web | author=IGNCA | url=https://ignca.gov.in/asi_reports/rjjdp639.pdf | title=Mahaveer Jain Mandir | publisher=[[Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts]] | access-date=8 May 2022 }}<br />
{{refend}}<br />
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==Further reading==<br />
*Vasavada, Rabindra J., [http://www.jainpedia.org/resources/e-library/results/document.html?tx_links_pi1%5Beliblink%5D=93&cHash=25ddc1ee52bfa14bbfc5afb9504aa305 ''Temple of Mahavira Osiaji''], 2001, L. D. Institute of Indology, fully online<br />
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{{Jain temples}}<br />
{{Jainism topics}}<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
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[[Category:Jain architecture]]<br />
[[Category:Jain art]]<br />
[[Category:Jain temples in Rajasthan]]<br />
[[Category:8th-century Jain temples]]</div>ErmelindaDez