ELEMENTS OF JAIN ARCHITECTURE

PILLARS
All Jain temples have many marble pillars which are carved beautifully with Demi god posture.
Jain temples have numerous pillars having
a well designed structure, forming squares.
The squares thus formed create chambers,
used as small chapels and contains the
image of a deity.
From these pillars, there are richly carved
brackets that emerge at about two thirds of
their height.
Jain Temples are seldom simple units, the
most elaborate examples are buy a
multiplication of basic form,

ROOFS
The roofs of these temples have
pointy and flat domes and
wherever there is a dome, the
pillars are omitted to create an
octagonal space within. And
stonework ceilings that so
elaborately carved.

ELEMENTS OF JAIN TEMPLES

Frequently seen four-faced or
chaumukh design.
In these four-faced temples, the
image of a Tirthankar faces back to
back to face four cardinal directions.
Entry into these temples is also from
four doors that face the cardinal
directions.

JAIN TEMPLES
The founder of Jainism is Vardamana or Mahavira (Great Hero). But it is said that he is the last
Tirthankara or Jina.
(Victor) and the first one is Adinatha. All of Jain temples are dedicated to one of the 24 Tirthankaras.
In Jain style of architecture, bricks were hardly used, and the system of carving out temples from rock
faces was adopted.
In later years when Jains discovered the concept of mountains of immortality, they proceeded to deviate
from Hindu and Buddhist sites and build on their own.
An important aspect to be noted is that Hindus and Buddhists built temples; Jains built temple-cities on
hills.

To put it in their own words, they ornamented these holy hills with a crown of eternal Arhatchaityas
(tabernacles of saints) shining with the splendor of jewels.
THE TEMPLE STRUCTURE
As mentioned earlier, the leading idea of the plan of the Jain temple is that of a number of columns
arranged in squares. Wherever it was intended to have a dome, pillars are omitted, so as to leave spaces
in the form of octagons.
By corbelling over the pendentives in level courses, the dome was gradually formed.
INTERIOR LAYOUT OF TEMPLES
The exits of Jain temples lead into a series of columned chambers into the central halls of the temple.
These columns, standing around for no apparent purpose, might make the place seem like a mindless
labyrinth, but on closer scrutiny it becomes evident that there is a style and method in it.
Simply put, these are temples within a temple, divided into sanctums and surrounded by a range of
chapels and shrines, and the maze of columns act as a defense against plunderers.
The principle impression gathered from these temples is the variety of their sections but in harmony with
each other.
The pointed spires above each dome are different, yet it signifies the position of a chapel, hall or any
other chamber inside.
THE ARCHITECTURE SPLENDOR OF JAIN TEMPLES
From the architectural perspective, Jain Temple-cities seem to rather cold compare to Hindu or Buddhist
temples.
COMPARISON BETWEEN HINDU AND JAIN TEMPLE
HINDU TEMPLE
The basic form of a Hindu temple is [garbhagriha + mandapa].
The garbhagriha at Hindu temples means the house of God and accordingly it should be locked
securely as a human residence.
JAIN TEMPLE
The basic form of Jain temple is Four faced open form in the temple design.
On the other hand, a Jaina temple is not a house of God, but a place where a Tirthankara (Jina) gives
teachings. It is called Samavasarana, and the doctrine of Jina should be preached in all directions.

References:

http://www.walkthroughindia.com/festivals/religion/top-eleven-amazing-jaintemples-of-india/
http://www.slideshare.net/aziz_khan/jain-architecture-final-1-12744278