The
Jain Parshvanatha Temple in Ellora is built high up against the steep
wall of the plateau. Pilgrims must climb hundreds of steps to reach
first, a small cave with an ancient shrine containing rough images of
three tirthankaras. Then, just above this small shrine, up perhaps
another twenty steps, is a large white twentieth century Parshvanatha
Temple built into the side of the plateau.
Parshvanatha Digambara
Jain Temple Ellora
Adinatha Jain Tirthankara Ellora
Image of Parsshvanatha
Inside
the spacious cool empty hall is a colossal image of the 23rd Jain tirthankara,
Parshvanatha. Inside the carved niche of volcanic rock, Parshvanatha
sits in a meditative posture under a canopy of seven cobras around his
head and a chariot wheel beneath him.
Parshvanatha Image Closeup
Detail of Chariot Mahavira
Wheel Devotees Elephants
and Stylized Lions at base
This
figure extends easily two stories in height, to a width of 20-25 feet.
On either side of the chariot wheel are stylized lions, elephants, and
devotees.
At
Right:
Long View of Parshvanath Digambara Image Against Coils of Snake and Astride Chariot Wheel
Long View of Parshvanath Digambara Image Against Coils of Snake and Astride Chariot Wheel
The
community who maintains this temple belongs to the Digambara Jain sect,
who believe that serious religious practice requires detachment from all
material goods including clothes.
Jain Digambara Guru Contemporary Ellora
Like the early tirthankaras, Digambara [sky-clad] Jain monks remain naked from the time they are ordained. (Monks of the second major Jain sect, the Shvetambara, wear only white clothes.) Jain nuns of all sects dress completely in white.
Ellora
is home to a large Jain ashram which includes a school for young monks,
a dormitory hostel, and a temple.
At Right:
Mahavira Image in
Ellora Jain Caves
At Right:
Mahavira Image in
Ellora Jain Caves
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