Jain temple

A Jain temple, Derasar (Gujarati: દેરાસર) or Basadi (Kannada: ಬಸದಿ), is the place of worship for Jains, the followers of Jainism. Jain architecture is essentially restricted to temples and monasteries, and Jain buildings generally reflect the prevailing style of the place and time they were built.

Jain temple architecture is generally close to Hindu temple architecture, and in ancient times Buddhist architecture. Normally the same builders and carvers worked for all religions, and regional and periodic styles are generally similar. For over 1,000 years, the basic layout of a Hindu or most Jain temples has consisted of a small garbhagriha or sanctuary for the main murti or idol, over which the high superstructure rises, then one or more larger mandapa halls.

Māru-Gurjara architecture or the "Solanki style", is a particular temple style from Gujarat and Rajasthan (both regions with a strong Jain presence) that originated in both Hindu and Jain temples around the year 1000, but became enduringly popular with Jain patrons. It has remained in use, in somewhat modified form, to the present day, indeed also becoming popular again for some Hindu temples in the 20th century. The style is seen in the groups of pilgrimage temples at Dilwara on Mount Abu, Taranga, Girnar, Kundalpur, Sonagiri, Muktagiri and Palitana.

There are many different terms used for Jain temples. Those originating from early scriptures, like the Agamas, were often ambiguous. In the early centuries CE, a single word might refer to cave temples, ascetics' dwellings, or religious schools, as their functions overlapped. It was only in later centuries, as buildings were constructed for specific purposes with unique designs, that a clearer and more accurate set of terms emerged. These terms helped differentiate the various structures and their distinct roles.

A temple is often referred to as chaitya, with its Prakrit form being cheia, which can also denote a religious idol. Another term is the Sanskrit balanaka (Prakrit balanaya), which seems to refer to only a part of the temple structure. In southern India, the word palli is widely used and can refer to a temple, a nun's residence, a cave, or even a school. Similarly, the term vihara, used for Jain temples, can also mean a monastery.

In contemporary usage, Jain temples in southern India — especially in Karnataka — are called basadi, basti, or similar terms. The historical use of basadi in North India is preserved in the names of the Vimala Vasahi and Luna Vasahi temples of Mount Abu. The Sanskrit word for vasahi is vasati, which implies an institution for residences of scholars attached to the shrine. In northern India, the names often combine jina with words meaning house, residence, or seat, resulting in terms like jinalaya, jina-mandir, jina-yatan, jinagruh, and jina-prasad. In Gujarat as well Rajasthan and in regions where Gujarati people have settled, Jain temples are typically known as derasar or dehrasar, which originate from the Sanskrit devagruha-vasara. Deri and dehra are its other variations.

Temples may be divided into Shikhar-baddha Jain temples, temple buildings dedicated to the public, normally with a high superstructure, (typically a north Indian shikhara tower above the shrine) and the Griha Chaityalaya (Ghar derasar) , a private Jain house shrine. A Jain temple which is known as a pilgrimage centre is often termed as Tirtha.

The main idol of a Jain temple is known as the mula nayak. A Manastambha (column of honor) is a pillar that is often constructed in front of Jain temples. It has four 'Moortis' i.e. stone figures of the main god of that temple. One facing each direction: North, East, South and West.