The Dilwara temples are located in the midst of a hill range which has a forest cover. They are surrounded by a high wall. The temples follow the early Jain architectural style of western India. The design is simple, reflecting Jain values of frugality. There are five temples here and each one of them is set within a rectangular courtyard. The main shrines are surrounded by smaller shrines and double colonnades.   The main structures in the temple court are the main hall (rang mandap), a sanctum (Gudh mandap), a hastishala or an elephant courtyard and Navchowki (a group of none rectangular ceilings). The exterior of the temples is plain. However, the interiors bear opulent and detailed ornamentation which is quite well preserved. The minute and intricate carved ceilings, doorways, pillars, and panels are a sight to behold.  The temples are made out of white marble which was sourced from Arasoori Hill, near Ambaji, which is 23 km from Abu Road. Since in the earlier times there were no mechanical means ... More

The Dilwara temples are located in the midst of a hill range which has a forest cover. They are surrounded by a high wall. The temples follow the early Jain architectural style of western India. The design is simple, reflecting Jain values of frugality. There are five temples here and each one of them is set within a rectangular courtyard. The main shrines are surrounded by smaller shrines and double colonnades.   The main structures in the temple court are the main hall (rang mandap), a sanctum (Gudh mandap), a hastishala or an elephant courtyard and Navchowki (a group of none rectangular ceilings). The exterior of the temples is plain. However, the interiors bear opulent and detailed ornamentation which is quite well preserved. The minute and intricate carved ceilings, doorways, pillars, and panels are a sight to behold.  The temples are made out of white marble which was sourced from Arasoori Hill, near Ambaji, which is 23 km from Abu Road. Since in the earlier times there were no mechanical means of transport, elephants were used, who carried the stone blocks on their backs from Arasoori hills to Mount Abu, at a height of 1200 metres.

Vimal Vasahi Temple – This temple is dedicated to the first Tirthankara, Adi Nath also known as Rishabhanath. The main shrine is built in an open courtyard which is surrounded by a corridor. The corridor has numerous cells containing smaller idols of other deities. The temple has a Navchowki which is a collection of nine rectangular ceilings. Each of these ceilings has beautiful carvings of different designs. The ceilings are supported by heavily ornate pillars. The Gudh mandap or the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is a simple hall which can be accessed through a doorway, which is also heavily decorated. The idol of the main deity is installed here. There is a Hastishala or an elephant courtyard. It has sculptures of a row of elephants, on which the members of the family which got the temple constructed, are depicted riding them. To the east of the sanctum is the Rang mandapa (grand hall), which is in the shape of an octagonal nave, nearly 8 metres in diameter. Its central dome is 6-metres wide and is supported by eight/twelve decorated columns and carved arches. The lotus ceiling is exquisitely carved from a single block of marble and rises up in 11 concentric circles, which has carvings of elaborate figures.

Luna Vasahi temple – This temple is dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara, Nemi Nath.  The main hall or the ‘rang mandap’ is known for a big elaborately carved ornamental pendant, which hangs from the central dome. In the same hall there are 72 figures of Tirthankars in sitting postures arranged in a circular band and just below this is another circular band which has 360 small figures of Jain monks. The Hathishala or elephant court has 10 beautifully carved marble elephants which are polished and modelled in a realistic manner. The idol of the deity is made of black marble. It is said that the pillars of this temple were built by the famous Rajput ruler, Maharana Kumbha of Mewar.

Pittalhar Temple – The name of this temple is derived from the main metal that has been used for the casting of the idol of the first Tirthankara, Rishabha Dev (Adinath). The idol was cast in five metals, with brass or 'Pital' being the main metal, hence the name 'Pittalhar'. It was built by Bhima Shah, a minister from Gujarat. The temple consists of all the main structures such as the Garbhagriha, Gudh mandap and Navchowki. However the construction of the main hall or the Rang mandap and the corridor has not been completed. Some smaller shrines, known as devakulika, were constructed in 1474 and 1490, before the construction was abandoned. The old idol was replaced with a new one in 1468-69 AD and it weighs 108 maunds.

Shri Parshvanatha Temple – This temple is the tallest of all the shrines at Dilwara. It is dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshavanath. The temple has three storeys. The ground floor contains the sanctum, which has four big halls or mandaps on all its four sides. It was constructed by the Mandika clan between the years 1458-59 A.D.

Shri Mahaveer Swami Temple - This is the smallest temple at Dilwara and was constructed in 1582. It is dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the 24th and the last Jain Tirthankara.