Dilwara Temples

Getting there

• By air

  Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur is about 176 km from Mount Abu and is the nearest airport.

• By train

  Abu Road railway station is about 28 km from Mount Abu and is the nearest station.

• By road

  Mount Abu is well connected by road to Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Delhi.

Rules to know

• Modest clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is required to maintain the sanctity of the site.
• Cameras, mobile phones and leather items are strictly prohibited.
• Bathing is mandatory before puja, and facilities for bathing are available.

Why devotees come here

The Dilwara Temples are a group of Jain temples built from white marble, set among the forested slopes of Mount Abu, Rajasthan's only hill station. Vimal Vasahi is dedicated to the first tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, and Luna Vasahi to Neminatha. The group is one of the five principal pilgrimage shrines of the Svetambara Jains.

The Dilwara Temples are one of the five principal pilgrimage shrines of the Svetambara Jains. The others are Ashtapad, Girnar, Shatrunjaya and Shikharji. Devotees also count the group among the five Maha tirths of the Svetambara sect.

The temples date between the 11th and 16th centuries. They are among the most famous monuments in the Solanki style of architecture. In 1026, Vimal Shah, a minister of Bhima I, the Chaulukya king of Gujarat, mostly built Vimal Vasahi, dedicated to Rishabhanatha. Luna Vasahi, dedicated to Neminatha, was built in 1230 by two Porwad brothers, Vastupal and Tejpal, who were ministers of Virdhaval, the Vaghela ruler of Gujarat.

The Pittalhar temple was built between 1316 and 1432 by Bhima Shah, a minister of Sultan Begada of Ahmedabad. The Parshvanath temple was built in 1458-59 by Sangvi Mandlik and his family. In 1906, Lallubhai Jaichand of Patan had the temples repaired and reconsecrated. The Seth Kalyanji Paramanandji Pedi now administers them. The interiors are snow-white marble, with carved pillars, lotus ceilings and filigree work.

Tips for your visit

• The complex has several shrines, including Vimal Vasahi, Luna Vasahi, Pittalhar and Parshvanath.
• Guided tour hours for tourists are posted outside the temple.

Questions people ask