https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Jain_temples_of_DeogarhJain temples of Deogarh - Revision history2026-07-30T22:08:38ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Jain_temples_of_Deogarh&diff=505282&oldid=prevKathrinChick016 at 06:18, 25 November 20252025-11-25T06:18:32Z<p></p>
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{{Infobox religious building<br />
| name = Jain temple complex, Deogarh<br />
| native_name = <br />
| religious_affiliation = [[Jainism]]<br />
| image = File:Devgarha2.jpg<br />
| image_size = <br />
| caption = Shantinath temple<br />
| map_type = <br />
| map_size = 250<br />
| map_caption = Location within Uttar Pradesh<br />
| coordinates = {{coord|24|31|24.4|N|78|14|14.7|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}}<br />
| coordinates_footnotes = <br />
| location = [[Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh|Deogarh]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]<br />
| deity = [[Shantinatha]]<br />
| sect = [[Digambar]]<br />
| festivals = [[Mahavir Jayanti]]<br />
| temple_quantity = 31<br />
| creator = <br />
| established = 8th century <br />
| website = <br />
| governing_body = Shri Devgarh Managing Digambar Jain Committee<br />
}}<br />
{{Jainism}}<br />
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The '''Jain Temple complex''' is group of 31 [[Jain]] temples located at [[Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh|Deogarh]] in [[Lalitpur District, India|Lalitpur district]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] built around 8th to 17th century CE. The Jain complex in Deogarh are protected by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI), and managed through its Northern Circle Office located in [[Lucknow]].<ref name='asi'>{{Citation|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_uttarpradesh_lucknow.asp|title=Alphabetical List of Monuments - Lucknow Circle, Uttar Pradesh|publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]]|access-date=2017-09-22}}</ref> ASI maintain an archaeological museum at the Deogarh site, which is noted for its treasured archaeological sculptures.<ref name="asian">{{Cite book|title=Studies in south Asian culture, Part 3|page=1–29|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2K83AAAAIAAJ|author=Universiteit van Amsterdam and Institute of South Asian Archaeology|publisher=Brill Archive|year=1958}}</ref><br />
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== History ==<br />
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The fort temples are dominated by the Jain temples in the eastern part of the hill fort; the [[Jain]] images here are mostly of the "iconographic and the stylistic variety".{{Sfn|Titze|Bruhn|1998|p=103}} The Jain complex was built during period from 8th to 17th century, and consist of 31 Jain temples housing around 2,000 sculptures which are largest such collection in world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uptourism.gov.in/post/jain-temple|work=[[Uttar Pradesh Tourism]]|title=Jain Temple Complex|access-date=2021-01-31|archive-date=15 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415190206/http://www.uptourism.gov.in/post/jain-temple|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Jain temples have a large number of panels depicting scenes from Jain mythology, [[tirthankara]] images and [[Ayagapata|votive tablets]]. The pillars are carved with a thousand Jain figures.<ref name=city>{{Cite web|url=http://www.whereincity.com/india/uttar-pradesh/deogarh.php|title= Deogarh|access-date=2010-01-08}}</ref><br />
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There are 31 Jain temples of different sizes, age and character.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sponsored-feature/story/monsoon-paints-vibrant-bundelkhand-heritage-with-glorious-green-strokes-17333-2016-06-30|title=Monsoon paints vibrant Bundelkhand heritage with glorious green strokes|publisher=[[India Today]]|access-date=2017-09-22}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Deogarh-a-potential-world-heritage-site-in-UP/articleshow/46963930.cms|title=Deogarh, a potential world heritage site in UP|website=[[The Times of India]]| date=18 April 2015 |access-date=2017-09-22}}</ref> All these are dated later than the Hindu temples. They are categorized into two distinct periods: the early medieval period and the medieval period. During the [[Islamic]] [[iconoclastic|iconoclastic depredations]] the temples were devastated; this was compounded by the growth of vegetation and neglect of maintenance.{{Sfn|Titze|Bruhn|1998|p=102}} The Jain community is managing the temples since 1939 and have done some restoration work.{{Sfn|Titze|Bruhn|1998|p=103-105}}<br />
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== Architecture ==<br />
[[File:Deogarh, UP. Jain temple complex.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Carvings of [[tirthankara]]s on Shantinath temple wall.]]<br />
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The Jain temples have also been examined individually and reports prepared by ASI. The number of images and inscriptions for each temple has been recorded. These findings testify their political history and early medieval status.<ref name="asian"/> Out of the many sculptures in the Jaina compound, more than 400 carvings were worthy of recording for their "stylistic and iconographic variety".{{Sfn|Titze|Bruhn|1998|p=103}}<br />
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The extravagance of the intricacies of the Jain sculptures is similar to that of nearby [[Gwalior]] in Madhya Pradesh and adjoining areas of [[Bihar]].{{Sfn|Titze|Bruhn|1998|p=105}} Jain sculptures lie scattered on both sides of the path from the gate, on the walls of the fort. A notable pillar seen here is called the Manastambha. The complete image of each of the 24 Tirthankaras. Images of [[Yaksha]] and [[Yakshini]] are also part of such depictions.{{Sfn|Elgood|2000|p=144}} Thousands of sculptures are seen embedded in the walls surrounding the complex. A large number of idols lying scattered around the fort area is attributed to the fact that this was the sculptors' workshop.<ref name=Hindu>{{Cite web| author1=Hugh | author2=Colleen |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/mag/2003/08/24/stories/2003082400380800.htm|title=Fortress of the gods|access-date=2010-01-05|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2003-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606121639/http://www.hinduonnet.com/mag/2003/08/24/stories/2003082400380800.htm|archive-date=6 June 2011|url-status=usurped}}</ref><br />
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Worship at some of the Jain temples is still held regularly. The most famous of the Jain temples in the fort is the Shantinath Temple, which was built before 862 AD. It is a testament that a prosperous Jain community lived in this region.{{Sfn|Titze|Bruhn|1998|p=105}}<br />
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== Restoration ==<br />
In 1959, robbers looted several Jain images or even cut off heads of many idols. This resulted in the Jain community of the area taking precautionary action by setting up a temple committee. This temple committee oversees the protection of the monuments and works to improve the ambience of the entire place. However, as per claims the restoration works being carried out on more scientific terms, following guidelines set by "[[UNESCO]]'s [[World Heritage Sites]]".{{Sfn|Titze|Bruhn|1998|p=105-106}}<br />
The Jain temple complex in Deogarh is protected by the Department of Archaeology of the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI).<ref name='asi'/><br />
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== Gallery ==<br />
<gallery><br />
File:Deogarh1918.png|Deogarh temple complex in 1918<br />
File:Pārśvanāth AS IS.jpg|[[Pārśva]] & [[Supārśva]] <br />
File:Deogarh, UP. Jain temple complex main temple.jpg|Jain sculpture carvings on wall<br />
File:Deogarh, UP. Jain temple complex column.jpg|Detailed carving on Pillar<br />
File:Mini tirthankaras.jpg|Panel with carvings of Tirthankaras<br />
File:Deogarh Jain temples (51).jpg|{{convert|12.3|ft}} Shantinatha statue<br />
</gallery><br />
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== See also ==<br />
{{commons cat}}<br />
* [[Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh]]<br />
* [[Jainism in Bundelkhand]]<br />
* [[Jainism in Uttar Pradesh]]<br />
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==References==<br />
=== Citation ===<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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=== Sources ===<br />
* {{cite book|last=Lubotsky|first=Alexander|url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/1887/2668/1/299_022.pdf|title=Isomorphic Reconstruction Map of Sarvodhbhadra temple or the Vishnu temple of Deogarh}}<br />
* {{cite book|title=Studies in south Asian culture, Part 3|pages=1–29|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2K83AAAAIAAJ|author=Universiteit van Amsterdam and Institute of South Asian Archaeology|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] |year=1958}}<br />
* {{cite book|last1=Titze|first1=Kurt|first2=Klaus|last2=Bruhn|title= Jainism: a Pictorial guide to the religion of non-violence|pages=102–106|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=loQkEIf8z5wC|publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]]|year=1998|isbn=81-208-1534-3}}<br />
* {{cite book|last=Elgood|first=Heather|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tAcF8RgbtZ0C|title=Hinduism and the Religious Arts |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |year=2000|isbn=9780826498656}}<br />
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{{Jainism Topics}}<br />
{{Jain temples}}<br />
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[[Category:Jain temples in Uttar Pradesh]]<br />
[[Category:8th-century Jain temples]]<br />
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Lalitpur district, India]]</div>KathrinChick016