31.01.2012 ►Sadri, Kirthi Stombha & Muchala Mahavir Jain Temples

2012 Karuna's Mewar Tour

Leaving Ranakpur Jain Temple gives the impression to have seen one of the peaks of beauty. Perhaps it also gives the impression that there is nothing left inside to notice more beauty. Just as if too much beauty does spoil the view. Perhaps it is human to think so, but it nevertheless is not true. In the contrary, beauty refines the attention for more beauty, I have experienced. When my two “Indian sons” suggested continuing the program, I did not feel much motivation. But fortunately they insisted, and I got another lesson in acceptance of all situations in life.

We approached Sadri, a rather busy town. It was about 16:00 pm, but the big Jain Temple we wanted to visit would open at 17:00pm only. So what now? Waiting one hour was no option, as there was another site to visit. Again I was happy to be accompanied by local friends who tried to make me benefit as much as possible from the tour. Someone at the closed gate of the temple told them something I was not able to understand, and after having asked three or more people familiar with the location, we reached an unimposing road junction, and stopped. The door of a house was opened. An old man signalled to approach.

At the entrance Jain symbols enclosed a silvery lattice door. My eyes by chance looked upwards, where a mirror mosaic in floral design reflected the rays of the afternoon sun.

Sadri Mahavir Mirror Jain Temple

Entry to the temple

Floeal design on mirror mosaicked ceiling

View inside the temple from entry

Depictions of Lord Mahavira, marble with silver

Scenes from Lord Mahavira's life depicted in mirror mosaic

Inside the temple

Lord Parshvanath with sevenfold hood in black marble

Lord Parshvanath in black marble & gold with attendants

Celestial being on elephant

Depiction of Lord Parshvanath with sevenfold hood in mirror mosaic technique

Depiction of Lord Mahavira surrounded by mirror mosaic

Gautam Swami, chief disciple of Lord Mahavira, depicted in white marble, decorated with fresh red flower

Karuna Jain inm front of Mahavir depiction

Lord Parshvanath in black marble with sevenfold hood, decorated with fresh red flowers

Mirror mosaic in floral design

Sadri Streetviews

Who would have guessed this treasure here, built in the thirties of last century? Sometimes pieces of jewellery can be found in the most common places. For me this proves living Jain culture, not mentioned in travel guides, visited by devotees only, a bastion of hope for being uplifted in day-to-day life. The lovely temple, street life in Sadri, the cows on their way home, the hilly landscape, all these many facets belong to life and determine its beauty.

Kirthi Stombha Jain Temple

Kirthi Stombha with its tower is a very peaceful area, although it is next to the busy road. It is possible to climb up the tower, but next destination and some fatigue impeded the exercise. A Svetambara Jain monk sat near the entrance, surrounded by a small group of devotees. In the temple was a Pujari performing the rites for a devotee who was in deep devotion.  

Kirti Stombha to Muchala Mahavir

The monk gave his blessings to all of us, and we continued for Muchala Mahavir. To reach this temple, we had to leave the highway. Again, I admired the beautiful landscape.

Muchala Mahavir Jain Temple

Muchala Mahavir appears to be situated in the middle of nowhere. Unfortunately there was hardly information available on its history. In its guesthouse accommodation is offered as well. But actually probably not many visitors are willing to stay there, as the temple is about to be reconstructed. Huge masses of soil have been moved, and big holes are rendering the remaining fragments of the building into a coulisse. Certainly the temple very soon will be very worth visiting in its renewed brilliancy.

Back to Amet

We went back the same way we had come in the morning. But we were enriched with wonderful impressions of Jain culture and the landscape of this remarkable region. Again we stopped for tea break, and then went back to Amet.