The entrance porch of the Adinatha or Rishabhnatha Temple, which is a subsidiary shrine in the Bhandasar Temple Complex. The porch has a small dome roof that rests on four pillars. Ornamented with niches, floral motifs and geometric designs, the porch is painted red. The merlons on the exterior wall of this temple are similar to the merlons on the enclosure wall of the temple complex. The building of this porch follows the Rajput style of architecture.
Details of the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) entrance of the Bhandasar Temple. The beam, pilasters and brackets are covered with meenakari (enamel) gold work. The walls flanking the entrance opening have the same floral paintings found on the walls and ceiling of the temple.
This is a painting panel on the beams of the mandapa (pillared hall) of the Bhandasar Temple. It is a set of five paintings drawn with the purpose of telling people that what are the wrongdoings that should be avoided. In every painting, a demonic figure is shown punishing the person who has violated moral laws. The five paintings have inscriptions of the acts that Jainism condemns. These are, ‘Kamchesta ka phal, Manushya ko maarne ka phal, chor ko saahaj dene ka phal, Biswas ghat ka phal’ (punishments for indulging in wrong sexual activities, killing a human being, supporting a thief and betrayal).
The doorways/long windows punctuating the walls of the mandapa (pillared hall) in the Bhandasar Temple are seen here. The wooden doors have paintings of musicians. The arch above the doorway has paintings of Tirthankara Rishabnath’s life. A band above the arch depicts stories about forbidden things in Jain traditions.
Closer view of the elevation of the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) of the Bhandasar Temple. The two projections visible in the picture, show few basal mouldings of the plinth are covered in the later added flooring. From the remaining portions, from bottom to top, the mouldings are kumbha (pot), kalasha (a pitcher) and kapotali (cyma recta) of the vedibandha (basal mouldings). This is followed by the jangha (wall) that further connects to the cornice of the temple.
The aisles of the mandapa (pillared hall) of the Bhandasar Temple have a curved arch ceiling with bands of floral motifs on the corner, and the rectangular portion is filled with blue cloud-like designs. In contrast to the multicoloured dome at the centre of the mandapa, this blue rectangular ceiling stands out.
The northern side of the mandapa (pillared hall) of the Bhandasar Temple has two lateral transepts instead of the doorways on the south side. One of these is used as the priest’s room. Another one has a miniature shrine added to it. Since the Bhandasar Temple has been renovated several times, the interior spaces have undergone significant changes. Upto the level of the antarala (antechamber), the temple portions are of the earlier period, however, the mandapa (pillared hall) has undergone timely reconstructions. The intermediate projection of the temple has icons of celestial damsels and the corner projections have ashtadikpalas (eight cardinal deities).
The south side elevation of the exterior walls of the Bhandasar Temple and the side shrine from the temple complex. A high plinth supports the exterior walls of the temple. The plinth details of slender fluted pilasters on the corner are characteristic of Mughal period architecture.
Seen here is the balcony atop the entrance gateway of the Bhandasar Temple. This balcony is semi-open with slender pilasters and a Bengal arch roofing. The ornamental cartouches on the small walls of the balcony are a feature of Rajput architecture.
Details of the enclosure wall of the Bhandasar Temple Complex. The floral pattern merlons are only found on the east-facing enclosure wall. These are painted red to resemble brickwork probably.