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{{Short description|Place of worship for Jains, the followers of Jainism}}
{{redirect2|Basadi|Derasar|other uses|Basadi, Iran (disambiguation)|and|Derasar, Rajasthan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
[[Image:Palitana.jpg|thumb|[[Palitana temples]] in [[Gujarat]]]]
{{Jainism}}
A '''Jain temple''', '''Derasar''' (Gujarati: દેરાસર) or '''Basadi''' (Kannada: ಬಸದಿ), is the [[place of worship]] for Jains, the followers of [[Jainism]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Lawrence A |last=Babb |title=Absent lord: ascetics and kings in a Jain ritual culture |url=https://archive.org/details/absentlordasceti00babb |url-access=limited |page=[https://archive.org/details/absentlordasceti00babb/page/n140 66] |publisher=Published [[University of California Press]] |year=1996|language=en}}</ref> '''Jain architecture''' is essentially restricted to temples and [[monastery|monasteries]], and Jain buildings generally reflect the prevailing style of the place and time they were built.

Jain temple architecture is generally close to [[Hindu temple architecture]], and in ancient times [[Buddhist architecture]]. Normally the same builders and [[carving|carvers]] worked for all religions, and regional and periodic styles are generally similar. For over 1,000 years, the basic layout of a Hindu or most Jain temples has consisted of a small [[garbhagriha]] or sanctuary for the main [[murti]] or idol, over which the high superstructure rises, then one or more larger [[mandapa]] halls.

[[Māru-Gurjara architecture]] or the "Solanki style", is a particular temple style from [[Gujarat]] and [[Rajasthan]] (both regions with a strong Jain presence) that originated in both Hindu and Jain temples around the year 1000, but became enduringly popular with Jain patrons. It has remained in use, in somewhat modified form, to the present day, indeed also becoming popular again for some Hindu temples in the 20th century. The style is seen in the groups of pilgrimage temples at [[Dilwara Temples|Dilwara]] on [[Mount Abu]], [[Taranga Jain temple|Taranga]], [[Girnar Jain temples|Girnar]], [[Kundalpur]], [[Sonagiri]], [[Muktagiri]] and [[Palitana temples|Palitana]].<ref>Hegewald</ref>

==Terms==
There are many different terms used for Jain temples. Those originating from early scriptures, like the [[Jain agama|Agamas]], were often ambiguous. In the early centuries CE, a single word might refer to cave temples, ascetics' dwellings, or religious schools, as their functions overlapped. It was only in later centuries, as buildings were constructed for specific purposes with unique designs, that a clearer and more accurate set of terms emerged. These terms helped differentiate the various structures and their distinct roles.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Jain temples |url=https://jainpedia.org/themes/places/jain-temples/ |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Jainpedia |language=en-US}}</ref>

A temple is often referred to as ''chaitya'', with its Prakrit form being ''cheia'', which can also denote a religious idol. Another term is the Sanskrit ''balanaka'' (Prakrit ''balanaya''), which seems to refer to only a part of the temple structure. In southern India, the word ''palli'' is widely used and can refer to a temple, a nun's residence, a cave, or even a school. Similarly, the term ''vihara'', used for Jain temples, can also mean a monastery.<ref name=":2" />

In contemporary usage, Jain temples in southern India — especially in [[Karnataka]] — are called '''''basadi''''', '''''basti''''', or similar terms. The historical use of ''basadi'' in North India is preserved in the names of the [[Dilwara Temples|Vimala Vasahi]] and [[Dilwara Temples|Luna Vasahi]] temples of [[Mount Abu]]. The Sanskrit word for vasahi is ''vasati'', which implies an institution for residences of scholars attached to the shrine.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="glossary">{{cite web |title=Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent – Glossary |url=http://www.indoarch.org/arch_glossary.php |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306200130/http://www.indoarch.org/arch_glossary.php |archive-date=6 March 2012 |access-date=24 December 2011 |publisher=}}</ref> In northern India, the names often combine [[Jina (Jainism)|jina]] with words meaning house, residence, or seat, resulting in terms like '''''jinalaya''''', '''''jina-mandir''''', '''''jina-yatan''''', '''''jinagruh''''', and '''''jina-prasad'''''. In [[Gujarat]] as well [[Rajasthan]] and in regions where [[Gujarati people]] have settled, Jain temples are typically known as '''''derasar''''' or '''''dehrasar''''', which originate from the Sanskrit ''devagruha-vasara''. '''''Deri''''' and '''''dehra''''' are its other variations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Basadi |url=http://www.kamat.com/glossary/?whoID=234 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113024046/http://www.kamat.com/glossary/?whoID=234 |archive-date=13 November 2006 |access-date=24 December 2011 |publisher=}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

Temples may be divided into [[Shikhara|Shikhar]]-baddha Jain temples, temple buildings dedicated to the public, normally with a high superstructure, (typically a north Indian [[shikhara]] tower above the shrine) and the [[Ghar Jain temple|Griha Chaityalaya]] (Ghar derasar) , a private Jain house shrine. A Jain temple which is known as a pilgrimage centre is often termed as [[Tirtha (Jainism)|Tirtha]].

The main idol of a Jain temple is known as the ''mula nayak''.<ref>Jaina Iconography, Volume 1 of Jaina-rūpa-maṇḍana, Umakant Premanand Shah, Abhinav Publications, 1987, p. 149</ref> A [[Manastambha]] (column of honor) is a pillar that is often constructed in front of Jain temples. It has four 'Moortis' i.e. stone figures of the main god of that temple. One facing each direction: North, East, South and West.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pluralism.org/religion/jainism/introduction/tirthankaras |title=Essays |website=www.pluralism.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013005348/http://www.pluralism.org/religion/jainism/introduction/tirthankaras |archive-date=2013-10-13}}</ref>

==Architecture==
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2024}}
{{anchor | JA| Jain architecture | Architecture of Jain temples }}
{{see also | Architecture of India | Jain art }}
{{Major Jain temples}}
[[File:Aerial view of Bahubali, Gomateswara Jain temple, Karkala.jpg|thumb|Jain Tirtha, [[Shravanabelagola]], with the colossal [[Gommateshwara statue]].]]

Jain temples are built with various architectural designs.<ref name=":0">''Jain temples in India and around the world'', Laxmi Mall Singhvi, Tarun Chopra, Himalayan Books, 2002</ref> Some of the earliest examples of Jain architecture are of the [[Indian rock-cut architecture]] tradition, whereby structures are produced by carving material out of solid rock.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Dokras |first=Uday |title=The Complete compendium of Jain Temples Part I |year=2021 |publication-date=2021 |pages=14 |language=English}}</ref> These traditions were initially shared with Buddhism, and by the end of the classical period, Hinduism. Jain temples and monasteries designed and constructed using rock-cut methods often share a site with those of the other religions, such as those at [[Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves|Udayagiri]], [[Bava Pyara Caves|Bava Pyara]], Ellora, [[Aihole]], [[Badami cave temples|Badami]], [[Kalugumalai Jain Beds|Kalugumalai]] and [[Pataini temple]]. The [[Ellora Caves]] are a late site, which contains temples of all three religions, as the earlier Buddhist ones give way to later Hindu excavations.<ref name=":0" />

Despite the similarity between different religions, Jainism is often known for placing large figures of one or more of the 24 [[tirthankara]]s in the open air rather than inside a shrine.<ref name=":0" /> These statues later began to increase in size, often in the form of standing nude figures in the ''[[kayotsarga]]'' meditation position (which is similar to standing [[at attention]]). The [[Gopachal rock cut Jain monuments]], the [[Siddhachal Caves]], and various single figures including the 12th-century [[Gommateshwara statue]], the modern [[Statue of Vasupujya]], and the [[Statue of Ahimsa]], standing the tallest at {{convert|108|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} in height, all exemplify this similarity.<ref name=":1" />

In recent times, the use of murti images has become controversial within Jainism, and some smaller sects reject them entirely, while others are selective in terms of which figures they allow images of. In sects which largely disapprove of images, the religious buildings are used instead.

Following the regional styles in Hindu temples, Jain temples in North India generally use the north Indian [[nagara architecture|nagara]] style, while those in South India use the dravida style, although the north Indian [[Māru-Gurjara style]] or Solanki style has made some inroads in the south over the 20th century or so. For example, the [[Mel Sithamur Jain Math]] in [[Tamil Nadu]] has a large [[gopuram]] tower, similar to those of local Hindu temples.
[[File:Delwada.jpg|thumb|Temple interior, [[Dilwara Temples|Dilwara]]]]

Characteristics of the original Māru-Gurjara style are "the external walls of the temples have been structured by increasing numbers of projections and recesses, accommodating sharply carved statues in niches. These are normally positioned in superimposed registers, above the lower bands of mouldings. The latter display continuous lines of horse riders, elephants, and [[kīrttimukha]]s. Hardly any segment of the surface is left unadorned." The main [[shikhara]] tower usually has many ''[[urushringa]]'' (subsidiary spirelets) on it, and two smaller side-entrances with porches are common in larger temples.<ref>Hegewald</ref>

Later, with Dilwara in the lead, surrounding the main temple with a curtain of ''devakulikā'' shrines, each with a small spire, became a distinctive feature of the Jain temples of West India, still employed in some modern temples. These are fairly plain on the outer walls, and often raised on a very high platform, so that the outside of larger temples can resemble a fortress with high walls.<ref>Harle, 228</ref> However the entrance(s), often up high, wide steps, are not designed for actual defence, even though medieval Muslim armies and others destroyed many Jain temples in the past, often permanently.

Inside the temple, the Māru-Gurjara style features extremely lavish carving, especially on columns, large and intricately carved rosettes on the ceilings of mandapas, and a characteristic form of "flying arch" between columns, which has no structural role, and is purely decorative. Most early temples in the style are in various local shades of pink, buff or brown sandstone, but the Dilwara temples are in a very pure white marble which lightens the style and has become considered very desirable.

While, before [[British India]], large Buddhist or Hindu temples (and indeed Muslim mosques) have very often been built with funds from a ruler, this was infrequently the case with Jain temples. Instead they were typically funded by wealthy Jain individuals or families. For this reason, and often the smaller numbers of Jains in the population, Jain temples tend to be at the small or middle end of the range of sizes, but at pilgrimage sites they may cluster in large groups - there are altogether several hundred at [[Palitana temples|Palitana]], tightly packed within several high-walled compounds called "tuks" or "tonks".<ref>"Temple-cities"; see also Mitchell (1990) by sites</ref> Temple charitable trusts, such as the very large [[Anandji Kalyanji Trust]], founded in the 17th century and now maintaining 1,200 temples, play a very important role in funding temple building and maintenance.

==Etiquette==
There are some guidelines to follow when one is visiting a Jain temple:<ref>CultureShock! India: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette, Gitanjali Kolanad,
Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd, 2008 p. 45</ref>
* Before entering the temple, one should bathe and wear freshly washed clothes or some special puja (worship) clothes – while wearing these one must neither have eaten anything nor visited the washroom. However, drinking of water is permitted.
* One should not take any footwear (including socks) inside the temple. Leather items like a belt, purse etc. are not allowed inside the temple premises.
* One should not be chewing any edibles (food, gum, mints, etc.), and no edibles should be stuck in the mouth.
* One should try to keep as silent as possible inside the temple.
* Mobile phones should not be used in the temple. One should keep them switched off.

Prevailing traditional customs should be followed regarding worshipping at the temple and touching an idol. They can vary depending on the region and the specific sect.

==Gallery==
=== India ===
<gallery perrow="6">
File:Ellora-Jain-cave.jpg|[[Ellora]] Jain cave basadi
File:Deogarh, UP. Jain temple complex.jpg|[[Jain temples at Deogarh|Jain Temple complex, Deogarh]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], before 862
File:Photo of lord adinath bhagwan at kundalpur.JPG|The "Bade Baba" idol inside Bade Baba Temple, Kundalpur
File:Sikharji jalmandir.jpg|Jal Mandir, [[Shikharji]]
File:Maladevi Temple Gyaraspur facade.jpg|[[Maladevi temple]], [[Vidisha]]
File:Tarangaji Jain temple.jpg|[[Taranga Jain temple|Taranga]], [[Mehsana district|Mehsana]]
File:Jain temple at Lakkundi.jpg|[[Brahma Jinalaya]], [[Lakkundi]], 11th century
File:View of Akkana Basadi from northeastern side at Shravanabelagola.jpg|[[Akkana Basadi]] (1181) with lost superstructure.
File:Kutch Bhadreshwar Jain Temple.jpg|[[Vasai Jain Temple]], [[Kutch]], [[Gujarat]]
File:Girnar Jain temple - Neminath temple.jpg|[[Girnar Jain temples]]
File:Kailash Parvat Rachna - 2.jpg|Kailash Parvat Rachna in [[Digamber Jain Bada Mandir Hastinapur|Bada Mandir, Hastinapur]]
File:Lodurva Temples.jpg|[[Lodhruva|Lodhruva Jain temple]]
File:Jain Temple Ranakpur.jpg|[[Ranakpur Jain temple]], [[Ranakpur]], [[Rajasthan]]
File:Vanki - Patri Jain Mandir.jpg|Vanki - Patri Jain temple, [[Kutch]], [[Gujarat]]
File:1000-Pillar-Temple-Moodbidri-Left-Side-View.JPG|[[Saavira Kambada Basadi]], [[Moodbidri]], [[Karnataka]]
File:Sheth Hutheesinh Temple.jpg|[[Hutheesing Jain Temple]] (1848)
File:Pawapuri - 001 Temple marking Mahavira's Passing (9243092471).jpg|[[Jal Mandir]], [[Pawapuri]]
File:Sheetalnath Mandir full view.jpg|[[Calcutta Jain Temple]] in [[Calcutta]] (1867)
File:Pakbirra Jain Shrine of Purulia 03.jpg|[[Pakbirra Jain temples]], [[Purulia district|Purulia]], [[West Bengal]]
File:Jain temple warangal.jpg|[[Kulpakji|Kulpakji Temple]] at [[Nalgonda]], [[Telangana]], with [[Dravidian architecture|''dravida'' (southern style) tower]]
File:Tiruparuthikundram (11).jpg|[[Trilokyanatha Temple]] in [[Kanchipuram]] an example of a [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian style]] [[Jain]] temple
File:Samovsaran Mandir Palitana 01.jpg|Samovsaran Mandir in [[Palitana]], [[Gujarat]]
</gallery>

=== Outside India ===
<gallery perrow="6">
File:Das Lakshana (Paryusana) celebrations, New York City Jain temple.JPG|[[Das Lakshana]] (Paryushana) celebrations at the [[Jain Center of America]], [[Queens]], [[Indians in the New York City metropolitan area#Religion|New York City]], the oldest Jain temple in the [[Western Hemisphere]]<ref name=QueensOldestJainTempleWesternHemisphere>{{cite web|url=https://www.qgazette.com/articles/the-oldest-temple-in-the-hemisphere-its-in-queens/|title=The Oldest Temple in the Hemisphere? It's In Queens!|publisher=Queens Gazette|date=May 21, 2020|accessdate=August 27, 2022|archive-date=27 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827232048/https://www.qgazette.com/articles/the-oldest-temple-in-the-hemisphere-its-in-queens/|url-status=live}}</ref>
File:Jain Temple Oshwal Centre Pottersbar Hertfordshire UK ground.jpg|Jain Temple, [[Potters Bar]], [[Hertfordshire]]
File:Gori Mandar.jpg|[[Godiji]], [[Nagarparkar Temples]], [[Pakistan]]
File:Templejaindanvers.jpg|[[Jain temple, Antwerp]], [[Belgium]]
File:Jain Temple -02 by Jain Center of Greater Phoenix (JCGP).jpg|[[Jain Center of Greater Phoenix]] (JCGP), [[Phoenix, Arizona]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{commons category|Jain temples}}
{{Portal|Religion}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[List of largest Jain temples]]
* [[List of Jain temples]]
* [[Jain art]]
* [[Jain Center of America]]
* [[Jain flag]]
* [[Jain house temple]]
* [[Jain sculpture]]
* [[Jain stupa]]
* [[Manastambha]]
* [[Tirtha (Jainism)]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
* Harle, J.C., ''The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent'', 2nd edn. 1994, Yale University Press Pelican History of Art, {{ISBN|0300062176}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Hegewald|first=Julia A. B.|title=The International Jaina Style? Māru-Gurjara Temples Under the Solaṅkīs, throughout India and in the Diaspora|url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/a/ars/13441566.0045.005?view=text;rgn=main|journal=Ars Orientalis|volume=45|doi=10.3998/ars.13441566.0045.005|issn=2328-1286|year=2011|issue=20210122|doi-access=free}}
* {{citation |last=Sangave |first=Vilas Adinath |author-link=Vilas Adinath Sangave |title=Jain Community: A Social Survey |url={{Google books|FWdWrRGV_t8C|plainurl=yes}} |date=1980 |publisher=[[Popular Prakashan]] |location=Bombay |edition=2nd |isbn=978-0-317-12346-3 }}

{{Jain temples}}
{{Jainism topics}}
{{Place of worship}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Jain temples and tirthas| ]]
[[Category:Jain architecture]]

Jain temple - Revision history

MerryK8896455 at 06:26, 26 March 2026