Jain Temples at Lodurva
Lodurva, the ancient capital of the Bhattis, is situated about 16 km northwest of Jaisalmer and has some Jain temples of special art historical interest. According to J. Tod (Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, vol. II) a copper-plate inscription of tenth century [...] in the ornamental Jain character as well as some clay signets, given to pilgims, bearing Jain symbols indicates the prevailing religion of Lodurva to have been Jain.
Some further informations of particular interst are given by K. C. Jain in his book "Jainism in Rajasthan":
"The former capital of Jaisalmer was Lodurva. In about 994 A.D., there was a king named Sāgara in whose time Jineśvarasūri, pupil of Vardhamānasūri of Kharatara Gachchha, came to this place. By his good wishes, two sons namely Śrīdhara and Rājadhara were born, who constructed the temple of Pārśvanātha here. This temple was renovated in 1618 A.D. by Seṭha Thāharūśāha. [...] Jaisalmer was made the capital after the destruction of Lodurva [...].
[...] At Lodurve about ten miles west of Jaisalmer, Śrīdhara and Rājadhara, the princes of the king Sāgara are knowen to have built a temple of Pārśvanātha in the eleventh century A.D. Actually, this temple belongs to this period as known from the study of its architecture. The style of architecture in the lower part of the temple is purely of South Indian Hindu type, while the upper part is of North-west Indian type. The toraṇadvāra, which is elaborately carved and richly decorated, stands very close to the courtyard and in front of the main temple. At four corners of the enclosure are for small temples of good workmanship. An artificial tree known as Kalpavṛkṣa with fruits is very carefully and artistically preserved within the enclosure."
