Jainism is prevalent in Rajasthan from time immemorable. Samrat samprathi, the grandson of Ashoka (B.C. 220) adopted Jainism and numerous Jain temples were constructed in his period. The Swethambara influence in Rajasthan in the 8th century, Jineshwarsuri and his desciple Jinavallabha and Maharana were some prominent names in the history of Rjasthan. However there were no Jain kings but the Rajputs who ruled the land followed and encouraged Jainism. Many ministers were found to be Jains. As a result the picturesque Jain temples found their origin and spread all over the desert.
The temples of Jaisalmere, Jodhpur, Ranakpur, Mount Abu, Chittor, Ajmer, Jaipur, Nagoud , Pali Udaypur, Sirohi, Chittorgad and Sawaimadhopur bear the grandeur of architecture in art and sculptor. The Rishabdev temple of Ranakpur is a magnificient piece of architecture. It has a lofty pinnacle with 1444 pillars with excellent carvings. There are seen the sculptours of Dancers, musicians, birds and plants. The hanging lotus, flowers from the celings and also Jaina Tirthankaras, Indra and elephant. Mount Abu is a complex of Dilwada temples. There are many Jain and Hindu temples here. The six Jain temples include Vimala Vasahi, Pitthalahar, Adinatha temple, Parshwanatha temple and Mahavira swami temple.
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