DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9541#0249
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JAIN A ARCHITECTURE.
Book II.
CHAPTER III.
northern jaina style.
CONTENTS.
Palilalia—Girnar—Mount Aim—Parisnatli—Gualior—Khajiiralio.
Palitana.
The grouping together of their temples into what may be called
"Cities of Temples" is a peculiarity which the Jains practised to a
greater extent than the followers of airy other religion in India. The
Buddhists grouped their stupas and viharas near and around sacred
spots, as at Sanchi, Manikvala, or in Peshawur, and elsewhere; but
they were scattered, and each was supposed to have a special meaning,
or to mark some sacred spot. The Hindus also grouped their temples,
as at Bhuvaneswar or Benares, in great numbers together; but in all
cases, so far as we know, because these were the centres of a popula-
tion who believed in the gods to whom the temples were dedicated,
and wanted them for the purposes of their worship. Neither of these
religions, however, possess such a group of temples, for instance, as
that at Sutrunjya, or Palitana, as it is usually called, in Gujerat,
about thirty miles from Gogo, on its eastern coast (Woodcut No. 125).
No survey has yet been made of it, nor have its temples been counted ;
but it covers a very large space of ground, and its shrines are
scattered by hundreds over the summits of two extensive hills and
in the valley between them. The larger ones are situated in tuks, or
separate enclosures, surrounded by high fortified Avails; the smaller
ones line the silent streets. A few yatis, or priests, sleep in the
temples and perform the daily services, and a few attendants are
constantly there to keep the place clean, which they do with the
most assiduous attention, or to feed the sacred pigeons, which are the
sole denizens of the spot; but there are no human habitations,
properly so called, within the walls. The pilgrim or the stranger
ascends in the morning, and returns when he has performed his
devotions or satisfied his curiosity. He must not eat, or at least
must not cook his food, on the sacred hill, and he must not sleep
there. It is a city of the gods, and meant for them only, and not
intended for the use of mortals.
Jaina temples and shrines are, of course, to be found in cities, and
JAIN A ARCHITECTURE.
Book II.
CHAPTER III.
northern jaina style.
CONTENTS.
Palilalia—Girnar—Mount Aim—Parisnatli—Gualior—Khajiiralio.
Palitana.
The grouping together of their temples into what may be called
"Cities of Temples" is a peculiarity which the Jains practised to a
greater extent than the followers of airy other religion in India. The
Buddhists grouped their stupas and viharas near and around sacred
spots, as at Sanchi, Manikvala, or in Peshawur, and elsewhere; but
they were scattered, and each was supposed to have a special meaning,
or to mark some sacred spot. The Hindus also grouped their temples,
as at Bhuvaneswar or Benares, in great numbers together; but in all
cases, so far as we know, because these were the centres of a popula-
tion who believed in the gods to whom the temples were dedicated,
and wanted them for the purposes of their worship. Neither of these
religions, however, possess such a group of temples, for instance, as
that at Sutrunjya, or Palitana, as it is usually called, in Gujerat,
about thirty miles from Gogo, on its eastern coast (Woodcut No. 125).
No survey has yet been made of it, nor have its temples been counted ;
but it covers a very large space of ground, and its shrines are
scattered by hundreds over the summits of two extensive hills and
in the valley between them. The larger ones are situated in tuks, or
separate enclosures, surrounded by high fortified Avails; the smaller
ones line the silent streets. A few yatis, or priests, sleep in the
temples and perform the daily services, and a few attendants are
constantly there to keep the place clean, which they do with the
most assiduous attention, or to feed the sacred pigeons, which are the
sole denizens of the spot; but there are no human habitations,
properly so called, within the walls. The pilgrim or the stranger
ascends in the morning, and returns when he has performed his
devotions or satisfied his curiosity. He must not eat, or at least
must not cook his food, on the sacred hill, and he must not sleep
there. It is a city of the gods, and meant for them only, and not
intended for the use of mortals.
Jaina temples and shrines are, of course, to be found in cities, and