Jain temples in India differ from the architecture of Hindu temples and a Muslim mosque. The essence of this great religion and its preaching is clear in the cave temples. These are the elaborately decorated carved stones which has numerous illustrated manuscripts. These Jain temples are spread across India and the best destination options for tourists and pilgrims. These temples help to explore history, religion, art and culture of the Jains in a proper way.

Architecture Jain temples in India
Every Jain temple is a unique Dhaja. Dhaja is a red-and-white striped banner which is replaced every year on the anniversary of the installation of the main image. Jains enjoy spending their wealth on their temples. The temples appear plain and ordinary from the outside. However it is decorated with intricate wood-carving inside. In recent decades many Jain temples are constructed partly or wholly of marble. These temples have a cool, soft, white glow. Bricks were hardly used in Jain temples.

Each temple has its unique personality and sentiment. Among older temples, this is created by the vagaries of architectural style. Sentiment is a matter of intention on the part of the architect and the temple management. Some of the Jain temples have the ceiling painted with images of Jain tirthas and the walls had murals depicting the life of Parshvanath. Jains place great emphasis on the cleanliness of the temples. A dirty temple is a moral fault against the Jina. In Jain temples, the priests are paid employees, who assist the Jain worshippers and keep the temple clean.

The Jain temples are divided into wards. Each ward is guarded by massive bastions at its ends, with a fortified gateway as the main entrance. The exits lead to a series of column chambers into the central halls of the temple. These temples are divided into sanctums and surrounded by a range of chapels and shrines. There is a variety among the sections of the temple but they are in harmony with each other. The pointed spire above each dome is different signifying the position of the other chamber inside.

Jain temples of India
These temples also have idols of Hindu deities in them. An amazing example of Jain monumental splendor is found in the caves of Udaygiri & Kandhagiri, Dilwara temples, Ranakpur temples, Sri Digambar Lal Mandir, Ajit Nath temple, Palitana Jain temples, Gomateswara temple, Jain temple of Jainimedu, Chaubishi Jain mandir, Sri Suntinath Jain mandir, Rishabh Deo temple and so on. Some other famous temples are given below: