Seth Bhandasar Jain Temple: Architectural drawing

By Ar Deepak Gahlowt and his team*

The Bhandasar Jain Temple is a sandhara, i.e., a pradakshina path (circumambulatory path) incorporated between the mulaprasada (main shrine) and the outer encasing walls of the temple. The temple adorns a shikhara (superstructure) in the shekhari (a multi-spired) style of temple architecture. Built originally in stone, the shikhara is painted white, which stands out in contrast to the red colour of the main shrine. The garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) is pancharatha (consisting of five projections) type of ground plan, and has all its stone surface walls painted. The principal projection of the garbhagriha does not have the usual depictions of deities because the garbhagriha itself is of a sarvatobhadra (with access from all four sides) variety, i.e., all its four walls are punctured with entrances, and it has an astylar mandapa (pillared hall) with a dome above it. All pillars of the mandapa are on the periphery of the dome, and none in the centre.