BHANDASAR JAIN TEMPLE-BIKANER

GENRAL VIEW

Situated in the southern part of the city of Bikaner, the temple was founded by Bhanda during 1411 CE, but was completed by his daughter. it is dedicated to Sumatinatha, the fifth Jaina tirthankara. It is also known as Trailokya Dipaka Prasada. The temple consists of the usual temple- divisions, the building clearly shows employment of two different styles viz. the traditional one and the Mughal in the Shikhara and mandapa respectively. The exterior of the tall shikhara is charmingly decked with uru shringas including the super-imposed miniature shikharas at the quoins, besides double- storied projecting gokha and interconnected by narrow stairs, the center of these upper rooms is consecrated to a samavasarana, the Jain symbol of the World City presided over by four of the world -teachers. The architecture in yellow Jaisalmer stone is rudimentray like that of other contemporary temples in Marwar, but the mandapa and the galleries and porches surrounding it make a better impression as they belong to a partial reconstruction in the early 17th century CE.