Vimala Vasahi Temple is an ancient Adinath Jain Temple in Dilwara group of Temples, at a distance of 2.5 km from Mount Abu in Rajasthan. Considered a marvel in marble-even better than Taj Mahal, took 1500 sculptors and 1200 labourers and fourteen years to complete. The bronze figure of Adinath wears a gem necklace and has eyes made of precious stones. The temple is said to have cost 180 million rupees.
Shrine’s History
This temple carved entirely out of white marble was built in 1021 by Vimal Shah, a minister of Bhimidev I, the Chalukya King of Gujarat. The temple is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar, Adinath. The temple stands in an open courtyard surrounded by a corridor, which has numerous cells containing smaller idols of the Tirthankaras. The richly carved corridors, pillars, arches, and mandaps or porticoes of the temple are simply amazing. The ceilings feature engraved designs of lotus-buds, petals, flowers and scenes from Jain and Hindu mythology
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The Rang mandap is a grand hall supported by 12 decorated pillars and nicely carved out arches with a breathtaking central dome. On the pillars are carved female figurines playing musical instruments and 16 Vidhyadevis, or the goddesses of knowledge, each one holding her own symbol. The Navchowki is a collection of nine rectangular ceilings, each one containing beautiful carvings of different designs supported on ornate pillars. The Gudh mandap is a simple hall once you step inside its heavily decorated doorway. Installed here is the idol of Adi Nath or Lord Rishabdev, as he is also known. The mandap is meant for ‘Arti’ to the deity. The Hastishala was constructed by Prithvipal, a descendant of Vimal Shah in 1147-49 and features a row of elephants in sculpture.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
There are many buses departing from Mt Abu. Using buses can be much faster than going to Abu Road and taking a train. There are buses to Ajmer (8 hr), Jodhpur, Barmer, Chittorgarh (9 hr), Jaisalmer and Jaipur (11 hr). There is an express bus to Ahmedabad (7 hr) that connects with the overnight Girnar Express to Veraval (Somnath) in Gujarat. There are private luxury day buses to Udaipur (5 hr).
By Rail
The railway station for Mt Abu is at Abu Road, which is 27km away. It is on the railway line that goes between Ahmedabad and Delhi via Ajmer and Jaipur. A taxi from Abu Road to Mt Abu cost aroud Rs 250-300
By Air
The closest airport is in Udaipur (170km), approximately five hours away by road.