Jain Temples, Jaisalmer Fort

Seven Jain temples stand inside Jaisalmer Fort, the Sonar Quila or Golden Fort, and are said to be joined to one another by passages. They were built between the 12th and 15th centuries in golden-yellow sandstone. According to tradition, work began in the 12th century under the merchant Sheth Tharu Shah, who dreamt that Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, asked him to raise temples in the city.

The principal shrine belongs to Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara, whose marble image is shaded by a many-headed serpent hood. The others honour Sambhavanath, Adinath, Shantinath, Shitalnath, Chandraprabhu Swami and Simandhar Swami. Arched sandstone entrances, densely carved pillars, filigree work and panels of Jain stories cover the buildings, even the rear walls. Close to 6,000 images are kept here, many donated by Jains who left their homes at Partition in 1947, and a few dragon-faced carvings hint at Chinese influence.