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| Nandini caught in a candid moment (almost)! |
Jaisalmer fort is filled with really beautiful Jain temples - about seven of them. Each one is unique and are connected to each other with their exquisite beauty!
There is a really interesting story about who they came to exist within the fort. There are only two communities who have traditionally lived in the fort area of the city - the
Kshtryiyas who were the Kings and the priestly class
Brahmins. During the 15th and 16th centuries the area was often invaded by the Muslim kings from across the borders, and they would loot these really rich Jain temples and deface their gods. This made the rich Jain traders to reach out to the king who allowed them build these temples on the payment of a very handsome sum of money.
Even today there are only
Kshtryiyas and
Brahmins who live within the fort, but the temples live on with huge donations from the Jains. These are also great centres of pilgrimage for them.
I am not quite sure how authentic this story is. but it does add more charm and history to the places of worship...
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| The walkway around the temple... |
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| In conversation with the temple priest |
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| The carvings here will take your breath away... |
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| Ankita walking in with the priest... |
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| Another beautifully intricate idol.. |
Here is a map of the place!
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Wonderful! Didn't visit the Jain Temple in Jaisalmer, but it looks impressive... seems I have to return one day :)
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