Travel Jaipur: Tourist place: Historic twin temples in Sanganer

You can see two historic Swetambar Jain temples situated together in a single campus near Tripolia gate at Sanganer while travel to Jaipur. Hence, temples are known as twin temples in Sanganer. Both the temples are very old. However, temple of Lord Adinath (Rishabhdev), first Jain Tirthankar, is much older than the later one. The principal deity of the later one is Chandraprabh (Chandaprabhu), eighth Jain Tirthankar.

Sanganer is an old and historic city near Jaipur airport. It was capital of Kachhawa (Kushwaha) dynasty between 12^th to 16^th centuries. Later on Kachhawas changed their capital and moved to Amber and then to Jaipur. Sanganer is about 15 KM from Jaipur Railway station and 12 KM from the bus stand.

Sri Jain Swetambar Khartargachchh Sangh, Jaipur manages the twin temples in Sanganer. The said Sangh also manages many other historic Jain temples and Dadabadi. Khartargachchh Sangh, Jaipur organizes Sanganer mela (religious fair) twice in a year i.e. on Chaitra Shukla Purnima and Kartik Shukla Purnima (Full moon days in Indian lunar months Chaitra and Kartik). Siddhachal Puja (Siddhachal alias Palitana is a famous Jain pilgrimage center) is the main attraction of these fairs. Large numbers of devotees take part in these fairs to pay homage to their Lord.

The Chandaprabhu temple is four hundred years old and was built in the 16^th century. The temple was established in the auspices of Upadhyay Samaysundar, a learned monk of Khartargachchh clan of Swetambar Jain. Upadhyay Samaysundar was contemporary and under Dada Jin Chandra Suri, religious teacher of Akbar, Mogul emperor.

Chandraprabh Swami temple is built in Nagar School of architecture. It is also an exclusive example of Rajput school of architecture in its inside. The “Ladan” (Using corbelling method) work of this temple is a rare example of the said school. Walls of the temple are plastered with “Arash”. Arash is a typical mixture of lime and other materials that looks like marble when plastered.

The main deity is placed in a Vedi (pedestal) in inner sanctum (Shrine cell) of the temple along with four other Tirthankar idols. The Vedi is made of good quality marble from Makrana mines. It is also beautifully carved. Gold work enhances its beauty many fold. The vedi is shaped like Dev Viman (celestial vehicle). There are idols of Yaksh and Yakshini placed in consoles in the outer sanctum, Rangamandapa.

There is a very high spire built in small bricks and lime above the Mulgambhara, (inner sanctum). A rectangular Verandah like place enhances beauty of the roof top. The verandah is made of marble with thick pillars. In fact it is a clear storey. None other temple has a clear storey except Twin Jain temples

One has to walk a little and few steps up from Chandaprabhu temple to reach Adinath temple. This temple is much older, bigger and beautiful than the previous one. However, exact date of establishment of the temple is not known. It is assumed that the temple is as old as seven hundred years. Chothani brothers built this temple according to dialects. They were wealthy merchants. There are praying idols of both the brothers in front of the principal deity Lord Adinath. Originally these idols were situated in the main gate and removed from its own place for some unknown reason.

Rishbhdev, the main deity is situated in the Garbha Griha (Sanctum sanctorum) over a vedi (Pedestal) along with two other Tirthankar idols. The vedi and inner sanctum (Mulgambhara or garbhagriha) is very similar to that of Chandaprabhu temple. The vedi has integrated carvings and gold work. This temple is also built in Nagar School of architecture and depicts Rajput art.

Specialty of this temple is seen in its Rangamandapa (Outer sanctum / Pillared hall). This is beautifully decorated with integrated carvings in stones. There are several figures of gods and goddesses in the pillars of the Rangamandapa. There are nicely carved Torandwars (Ornamental entrances) that resemble art works of Delwada temples in Mount Abu.

Sixteen figures of musicians and dancers are placed in round shape in the Gumbaz (Dome). People say that these statues are miraculous. According to them, these musicians and dancers perform in the night to pay their homage to Lord Rishabhdev. Several people heard sounds of music and dance in the dark nights. No one is allowed to sleep or even enter in to the temple in late nights.

Gumbaz of the Rangamandapa is also decorated with flowers and leaves. It is an example of beautiful craftsmanship. The whole Rangamandapa is painted with natural colors. Natural colors are made of gemstones, leaves, flowers etc. Blue is the most vivid among all these colors.

There are large numbers of miniature wall paintings in gold and natural colors. 24 paintings of all 24 Tirthankar are the most prominent among them. There are idols of Ganadhara Gautam Swami, Dadaguru Jin Kushal Suri, Gomukh Yaksh and Chakrshwari devi (Yakshini).

There is another small sanctum where lord Mallinath, 19^th Tirthankar is placed along with two other Tirthankar idols. Foot prints (Charan) of Lord Adinath, Acharya Vijay Hir Suri and Vijay Sen Suri and few others (in a group) can also be seen in that sanctum.

The spire of the temple is awesome. Height of the spire from ground level is 65 ft. It is hollow though built in stones. There is a small window to enter inside the spire. Four Tirthankar idols are placed in the four sides of the same. There are several other figures carved in the outer portion of the same. An Ashtadhatu (Copper alloy) Dhwajdand (Flag pole) is placed on the top of the spire. Jain flag (Dhwaj) is hoisted on the Dhwajdand.

Maintenance, preservation and renovation

Historic monuments are subject to maintenance, preservation and renovation. These twin temples are no exceptions. Sri Jain Swetambar Khartargachchh Sangh carried out renovation works several times. A massive renovation was done in the seventies and eighties of the twentieth century. It took some 17 years to renovate these historic temples at that time.

Huge costs are involved in maintenance, preservation and renovation. The Sangh bears all the costs