Vimala Vasahi temple, Mt Abu

The Vimala Vasahi temple, dedicated to the first Jain tirthankara, Adinath, was built in 1031 by Vimala Shah, a wealthy Prime minister of the Solnaki kings of Gujarat. Inside the temple graceful nymphs and musicians, spirited horses and elephants adorn the arches and pillars, and the superb 11 tiered domed ceiling in the main hall. It is an architectural marvel. The inner sanctum has a statue of Adinath in tranquil meditation. It took 14 years and cost Rs 180.5 million to build. Forty eight pillars form the courtyard entrance.

The Luna Vasahi temple dedicated to Neminath, the 22nd Jain tirthankara dates to 1231 and is even more ornately carved. It is a masterpiece by the marble carvers at a cost of Rs 125.9 million. Here the marble carving took 2500 workers 15 years to create. The main hall has a magnificent lotus shaped tiered pendant carved from a single block of marble, descending from its domed ceiling.

Behind the main shrine is the Hall of Donors, which has figures on elephants, some in black marble. The life size statues of the donors are vividly carved. The other three temples in the complex are Bhimashah Pittalhar with a 4 ton five metal statue, Mahaveer Swami and the three storied Khartar Vasahi.

Photography is prohibited inside the temple. Time : Noon to 6 pm. Dilwara temples is 3 km from the town in which shared jeeps run.