Jain religious sites in Rajasthan comprise of several interesting temples that are dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. Jainism has always been an important religious sect in India and while on a tour to Rajasthan one can guess the impact it had on the people of the sub-continent. Rajasthan, however, is one place which also houses different other religious sites belonging to the Hindus as well as Islam. Most of the Jain shrines religious monuments are built with white marble. One probable reason for this may be that white represents purity and sacredness. As pieces of art these are remarkable too.
As far as the Jain shrines are considered the outstanding amongst these is the Dilwara Temple, Mount Abu. Built in white marble the artistry of the shrine is simply superb. Within the temple premise one will come across 5 separate well-carved marble temples. These are dedicated to different Jain saints. The stone architecture of Dilwara has always been a talking point amongst the visitors. Religiously, too, this is an important shrine for the Jains.
Another important Jain shrine in Rajasthan is Sri Mahavirji Temple. As far as the architecture is concerned this temple represents a fine blend of the ancient and contemporary architectures. It is located at a short distance from Ranthambore. This temple too has been built in pristine white marble.
Jain Temple in Ranakapur is another wonder in marble. This Jain temple houses several small idols. These can be found in every nook and corner of the temple. The main idol of the temple is that lord Adinath. Dating back to 15th century the temple is accessible from Udaipur.
The Jain Temple at Osian is also dedicated to Lord Mahavira, Jain Tirthankara. This particular temple is located at a distance of 65 kilometers from the city of Jodhpur. With dome shaped roofs and several beautifully carved pillars it is a popular religious site for the Jains.
There are 3 Jain temples in Lodurva. One is dedicated to Parshvanath, one to Rishabhnath and the other to Shambhavanath. Another attraction in the Parshvanath Temple is the Kalpavriksha. It is believed that wishes that are made in front of this celestial tree definitely come true.