Lodurva Jain Temple Jaisalmer: Stunning Architecture
While you are at Jaisalmer, the ‘Swarna-nagari’ (Golden city) of India, take time to visit Lodurva. It has a history older than Jaisalmer, a sad one though. Lodurva was the ancient capital of Bhatti – a Rajput clan. It is situated 16 km north-west of Jaisalmer city.
The town of Lodurva was ransacked several times by Muslim invaders Mahmud of Ghazni in the 11th century when he was en route to Somnath, Gujarat, and then by Muhammad Ghor in the next century. After Ghori’s invasion Rawal Jaisal abandoned Lodurva, and he shifted his capital to Jaisalmer in 1156.
Lodurva temple Complex Jaisalmer
Lodurva temple Complex
A tall boundary around the temple complex completely hides the beauty of the temple. Only when you step in you the glimpse of the beautiful golden yellow Parshvanath Temple. There are some more shrines inside the complex.
Parshvanath Jain Temple Lodurva Jaisalmer
The torana at Lodurva is one of the most stunning architectural feature here. Toranas are vandanamalikas: free-standing ornamental or arched gateway for ceremonial purposes seen in the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain architecture of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and parts of East Asia.
See torana of Sanchi: Sanchi Stupa in Madhyapradesh
Also see how different they are from the gateway in south Indian temples: Gopuram
Torana in Lodurva Temple complex
Parshwanath Temple at Lodurva
The main attraction at Lodurva is the Parshvanath Jain Temple. It is made of bright yellow sand stones and when we were there at 11 in the morning, the temple had a golden glow over it, mesmerizing us completely.
Lord Parshvanath is the 23rd Jain Tirthankara. There were statues of other Tithankaras too. We spent around an hour there marveling the intricate Jaali work, splendid arch at the entrance, and the ruins scattered around.
Inside Parshvanath Temple
Inside Parshvanath Temple
Unique Temple Architecture
This kind of temple architecture is unique; it has 8 corners with slanting walls. The walls are more like a screen with jaali or lattice work in yellow sandstone. They are designed such that the inside of the temple remains cool. The perforations or net like structure allows good cross ventilation and light inside the temple.
Unique facade designs of Lodurva Temple
Interior of Parshwanath Temple
Not just the facade, the interior of this Jain Temple was infused with intricate carvings. There were geometric designs, figures of Jain Tirthankara, animal figures and more. All were carved out yellow sandstone and white marble as if they were some blocks of butter and cheese.
Intricate carving in the ceiling of Lodurva Temple
Some carvings were made out of marble too.
Intricate carvings in almost all the pillars of Lodurva Temple
History of Parshvanath Temple
The temple was destroyed in 1152, but was reconstructed in 1615 by Seth Tharu Shah. Later further additions were commissioned in 1675 and 1687. Inner sanctum of the temple contains an image of Parshvanath in black stone.
Snake is the symbol of the reigning deity of this temple. You can see 100 snakes joining together to form a single hood over Parshvanath Tirthankara seated in padmasana posture. The entire statue is carved out of a single black Kasauti stone. All around it there are carved human and animal figures on white marble frame. It has such an aura and enigma that you will find it hard to shift your gaze away.
Statue of Parshvanath has a multi-hooded serpent canopy.
Interesting Legends inside Lodurva Temple
There are 2 interesting legends related to the temple. The guide who took us around the temple told these stories to us.
One is that a snake resides inside the holes/crevices of walls of the temple. The snake is worshiped by the locals. They offer it a bowl of milk in the evenings and by morning the bowl is empty. We saw the bowl placed there and a donation box for money.
Other one is about a celestial tree! Parshwanath temple complex houses the Kalpavriksha or the celestial tree that once grew there. After the tree died it was substituted by a true to life sculpture in an alloy of eight metals. Thus making it an ‘eternal tree’ symbolizing enlightenment. The copper leaves are believed to have the power to fulfill the wishes of any devotee.
Other Shrines in Lodurva Temple Complex
There were some more shrines around the main Parshvanath Temple. Each of the shrines had beautiful architectural details. They seemed to be garlanded, only on close inspection I realised they were of stone. Such exquisite craftsmanship! Each of the shrine had an image of Jain Tirthankara. One of them made of white marble framed in red sandstone.
Sri Sambhavnath Bhagwan in Lodurva Jaisalmer Rajasthan.
None of the torana were of the same design.
100 snake hoods canopy for Jain Tirthankara
Jaisalmer Itinerary with Lodurva
If you are at Jaisalmer just for a day, visit Jaisalmer Fort in the morning, the tour there will take at least 4 hours. Have your lunch and then proceed to Lodurva. Finally to Sam Sand dunes for a camel ride and see a beautiful sunset there. You will do well to include this in list of Jaisalmer Things to Do. Happy journey!
Open Timings and Tickets
Timings: The Jain temples of Lodurva Temple Complex are open from 6am to 6pm.
Tickets: No tickets are required to enter the temples. It is a free sight in Jaisalmer.
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(Updated post. This was first written on Dec 8th, 2008.)
It’s so intricate and beautiful!
congrats onthe excellent snaps..feel i have personally visited the place..and thanks 4 yr comment on my post..pl do stay connected.
So what did the camera devotee wish for from the copper leaves ?
Wow, the temple has fantastic architecture! Absolutely stunning!
I can’t imagine the time it took to do just the detail work…amazing!! Such pride and devotion. Beautiful.
I love your My World posts, you show us so many magical places. Thank you.
to Ms. Indrani
I have read some of your posts. I would like to revisit the same.
If you like short stories and paintings, then a short visit to my blogs would be a good idea.
Naval Langa
Whenever I look at your photos I am in awe of the patience and attention to detail that the artisans had who built all these wonderful structures in India.
I stand in awe of your architecture each time again. Some look like san castles but very intricate, and carving the stone must have been much harder work!
Indrani: could you please please please do a post for us on the nature around you for the next My world meme? I would so love to see it!!!
Warm greetings from Niger,
Esther
Indrani: The temple is amazing. The work is very intricate and wonderfully done.
The jali work is very mesmerizing. All photos make me feel go there.
I didn’t about this Lodurva, thanks for sharing.
The geometry and balance and the optical illusions here are wonderful. Thanks!
the architecture is amazing…almost lace-like in parts.
fascinating post and photos…wow.
thank you for sharing with us.
The fort is simply amazing. Wonderful shots.
Mindblowing work…
The architecture is staggering. The achievements of yesteryear put modern building to shame. Fascinating place.
Gorgeous photos, as always. I really can’t get enough of these carvings!
Oh how beautiful this Parshavnath temple is!!! It’s almost impossible to believe that this was created by humans! Very heavenly!
Lovely pictures. The write-up is very informative and goes well with the pictures.
The bright yellow sand stone seems to be an amazing material. It has glowing quality that I can feel from your photos.
Amazing details in the temple architecture. So delicate looking. It’s certainly a beautiful place.
Very beautifully built temples. Love those well crafted designs on the temple. Happy Tuesday.
Beautiful your World. Great shots and buildings.
What a beautiful place with an extraordinary history, nice work!
Amazing architecture. Love the sandy color of the buildings against the blue, blue sky.
It looks warm and wonderful. What an incredible place! I am so intrigued by ancient archtecture in your country.
These are really stunning temples. I wanna see it and explore the place for myself. Great job.
These are really stunning temples. I wanna see it and explore the place for myself. Great job.
thank you so much for bringing home Lodurva to us! such a lovely place and you have presented it so beautifully too!
When I feel like visiting Jaisalmer, I will visit this page!
You and your camera do full justice to the monument.
The sun-bathed glory is a feast for the eyes.
That temple is stunning! Thanks for taking me there through photographs, since I will likely not be able to visit in person in my lifetime!
Amazing history and great architecture. Your photos are fabulous. Excellent capture. Worth visiting. Thanks for taking us along.
I didn’t even know about Lodurva though I was there last year during Christmas Holidays.
We did visit another ruins called ‘Kuldhara’.
Thanks Indrani for sharing.
Best wishes
Nandan
I definitely, DEFINITELY have to visit!
Lovely Architecture, and captured so well in your photos. I enjoyed this tour of your world very much.
More amazing architecture. It must be everywhere in your beautiful country! I so enjoy looking at these photos. I wonder about those “platforms” with the banners on them. Are they temporary, or a permanent part of the structure?
This architecture is just incredible. Your beautiful posts are the best!