There is very little difference in development of the Hindu and Jain temples,the growth of the latter being parallel to that of the former.However there are also several unique features.Jain temple in keeping with need of privacy and seclusion during rituals has enclosed rooms in the place of open pillared mandapas of the Hindu temple.Also the Jain temple need not only face the east.There are some which face the north and the others which are chaumukh,having doors facing all the four directions.At Osian,amongst the ruins are several Jain temples the one of Mahavira being a typical shrine of the period.
The Dilwara temples of mount Abu of the 11th to 13th centuries have few parallels as the intricate lace-like carvings on pillars,arches and ceilings vie with one another in reaching perfection.The marble pendant hanging from the dome in the Tejpala temple is unique as are the pillars and brackets of the 11th century Vimal Visahi temple.Several Jain temples can be seen at Achalgarh and Kumbharia nearby.One of the most impressive architectural achievements amongst Jain temples are the 15th century Ranakpur temples (near Udaipur).The massive Chaumukh temple dedicated to Adinath has 29 halls and 1444 carved pillars, no two of which are alike.Palitana in Gujarat with its 863 temples atop Shatrunjaya Hill was a great centre of Jain architecture going back to the 11th century,but suffered wide spread destruction during the Muslim invations.Many of the temples seen today were rebuilt from 16th century onwards. However no student of temple art should miss Palitana. Equally interesting are the groups of temples dating back to the 12th century on Girnar hill (near Junagadh). Several Jain temples have been built in this century after the early temples.
Jainism flourished widely in South India during the early medieval period.In 10th century,the Jain Ganga dynasty ruled in the Mysore region and a group of temples were built by them at Sravanabelagola.The monolithic 17 meter tall statue of Gomateshwara is outstanding and its massive size attracts attention for miles around.The The Jain temples are similar in style to the Hindu architecture of the area.In Mudabidri(near Mangalore) are Jain temples of the 12th century based on wooden architectural styles.The Chandranatha temple of the 15th century is of the Chalukya style with roof gables similar to those of the Kerala temples.As in the case of Hindu temples, sculpture and painting play an important part in the case of Jain temples also.Some of the most beautiful sculptures many of marble may be seen in Jain temples at Mount Abu,Ranakpur and the homes of divinity on the hill-tops of Girnar and Palitana.In the Dilwara temples of Mount Abu,sculptures,intricate and delicate cover every inch of the marble.Yet the effect is not of the satiation but of harmonious exuberance,of great grace and charm.
