Delwaradevkul paton nagri: the town of gods

A Project ofSeva Mandir

Udaipur

Delwara

History:The kingdom of Mewad was originally divided into 16 rajwadas or districts.Delwara was one of the 16 centres. It was ruled by the Jhala rajputs. TheJhala family was the rulers of Delwara, Badi sadhdi and Gogunda. TheFamily was known for its bravery and valor. As many as 7 generations ofthe Jhala family had been sacrificing their lives for the Maharanas. Therulers at the time of the construction of the famous Jain temples wereMaharana Mokal then Maharana Lakha and then Maharana Kumbha.Delwara, Nagdha and Aayad were the centers of learning and cultureduring the fifteen-century. Delwara was a large town and spread formGandharva sagar talav to Nagda. Today only 25% of the original townremains.Delwara was originally known as devkul paton nagri which means thetown of gods. And true to its name the town boasted of about 1000temples at one time, out of which there were about 400 Jain temples. RajaSampriti build about 1-lac temples during his reign. If fact even todayevery street in Delwara has at least one temple.

devkul paton nagri: the town of gods

Introduction:

Walk Route - Delwara village� � � � ’ b� � v� d1� � � � b� n � � M� lb� � � P� m� � � � a- m� � � � a� , � � � � � db� m, M� m� � � B� m� � � � v� v’ - � , � � sdB� � � dbsdu� � usm1� � � msn ’ t us� � � M1s� � � � � M� � � � P� m� � � r � � � � P� m � � � � mbuz � d� vuSs� � u� BM� d� � - n Ka- � � � � sd� � - m� b� m� � � � � sM� � � � M1s� � � � � M� � � � - M� as� � vm- - v� � � � d1m� � � ’ d1� � saa� B- � � ’ d1� � � � t bun s� � � m� r � d� � d1sm�� � � � � � u� t v� � � � 1n � Ss� � � n � aa� � usM� v- n Ka- � � � � bu- buM� m� � � u� 1- M� � � u- 1� � � � v� � � � d1sm� �� � � � � usa� � � b� � � � sbu� u1- M� � u� BM� d� � - n Ka-� � � � � � � sd� � - m� b� m�� � � � ust � mM� 1s� � � � ’ 1us�� � � � � � sd� � - n Ka-

12

3

5

6

7

8

4

9

�!

The major benefit to these women will be that this project will lead to asynergistic effect when coupled with the initiative of opening an attractiveshowroom for Sadhna to showcase their handiwork and sell their productdirectly to the customers. By converting the village into a tourist stop over,the probability of more tourists stopping at the village will increase ratherthan just having a showroom, as it will not be enough incentive for manytourists to make the stop over

Women of the patch work groupsThe women belonging to the various patchwork groups initiated by SevaMandir have come a long way since its inception about 10 years back.Today they are not only economically independent but also moreempowered and confident. They are also more aware about personalhygiene, childcare, family saving, health, and other related matters. Thispowerful group of dynamic women has a very significant role to play inthis project. As they are highly respected in their communities, they canhelp in generating the right spirit and getting people along with them forthis project. Secondly, they are good ambassadors for initiating changeand spreading awareness regarding health, hygiene, and cleanliness amongthe villagers.

Palera Talao

Palera TalaoMansarovar Sagar

Kasam bava’sMazar,

Bus Stand

StartingPoint

Ja

ip

ur

Hi

gh

wa

y

U

d

a i

p u

r to

Yadav Was

Way to Bazar

!

Palera Talao/Mansarovar Sagar:This Talao was built in Vikram Samvat 1857 (AD 1800) by Rani SajjanKumari in memory of her husband, the Jhala prince Mansinghji, who diedat a very young age. After him, it is named Mansarovar Sagar. This hastwo chhatris that add to its picturesqueness. It is the main source ofwater, for irrigation and drinking, for the village. It is also locally known asPalera Talao. Palera is derived from the Sanskrit ‘Palankarta’, which literallymeans ‘protector’.

Delwara Talao/Bus Stand:Located on the highway from Udaipur, this isthe point of identification for the arrival inDelwara. The bus stand offers a beautiful viewof trees and the Talao (pond) provides apicturesque view of the surrounding hills andlandscape. It is an ideal spot for a short stopoverby visitors to Delwara.

Kasam bava’s Mazar:

Baikunthnath Temple

Statue of KingMan singh

Trimukhi Bawari / Vav

Bazar/Maya Bazar

!

Statue of King Man Singh III:This beautiful white marble statue, 2 metres high, stands in the centre ofSajjan Vatika opposite the Bhagvan Vaikunthnathji temple. Raja Mansinghjidied young. In his memory, his wife Rani Sajjan Kumari had the statuemade statue in Jaipur.

Trimukhi Vavdi/Vav:This stepwell, named for its triple entrance, was built by the ShrimaliBrahmins for rites and tituals associated with the nearby temples ofVaikunthnathji and Hanumanji.

Bazar/Maya Bazar:

Mahajan Was

Parshwanathji Bhagvan Temple(Jain Derasar)

B a d iChowk

PostOffice

M a t aTemple

MithalalBhavan

Way

Bai

va B

avw

ari

!

Parshvanathji Bhagvan Temple (Jain Derasar):This temple of the Shwetambar Murtipoojak (statue worshipping) sectJains is dedicated to Bhagvan Parshwanath, the 23rd teerthankara. Itssculpture and architecture are amazing. Its unique feature is a chamberabout 5 metres underground, which houses thirteen beautiful idols ofteerthankaras. When the rays of sun fall on these idols, they appear tocome to life and smile benevolently at the devotees. The main temple haswonderfully sculpted idol of Bhagvan Parshwanath in black marble.

Baiva Bawari/ Vav

Bawari

Katcha Road

Sadhu was

Byepass Road

N� � � �

Baiva Vavdi / Vav

Lohra Chowk

BalbirsinghHaveli

Rajput Was

Charbhuja Temple

Dr. Moris

Haveli Street

!

Haveli Street:The Havelis of Delwara are in typically Rajasthani architectural syle. Thisparticular street of……………... are unique example of this region. Horse-shaped toda/pylon above the entrance doors and triple gokhlas/nichesare special features of this place.

Kund Chowk

Indra Kund/Village Kund

Small Shivtemple

Lakshmi NarayanMandir/Bhakta Padmaji,

CraftsnanWorkshop

Traditional house

Devigarh Fort

PrathamikVidhyalaya

Hospital

!

Indra Kund/Village Kund:Indra Kund was built by the king Rana Bairisalji. It was consecrated inVikram Samvat 1913 (AD 1856), on Maha Sud 13, or the 13th day ofthe bright fortnight of the lunar month of Maha (corresponding to February-March). To mark the occasion, there was a month-long celebration atDelwara, and families of neighbouring states like Gogunda, Jadol and Tanaalso participated in the celebration. The kund has marvellous examples ofstone carving and is about 15 metres deep.

Lakshmi Narayan Mandir/BhaktaPadmaji:Delwara also houses a beautiful temple of ShriLakshmi Narayan, which is situated next to the KundChowk. The temple belongs to the Teli (oilseedpressers) community, for which it has immensereligious value. It also attracts visitors from distantplaces. It is characterised by intricate and colourfulornamentation in glass. According to legend, the mainidol here flew across on its own from Dwarka (onthe Saurashtra coast of neighbouring Gujarat) andlanded at this spot, where the shrine was then built.The idol is believed to be the same one that had beenmysteriously missing from Dwarka. The builder ofthe temple was a devout follower of the lord, a Teliknown as Shri Padmaji, whose statue is installed here.It is maintained by the Teli community. A caretakerlooks after it and performs the daily pooja and aarati.

Small Shiva temple:Before the kund was built, this little white marble temple, built in the shapeof a chhatri, was within the local ruler’s territory. At that time there was agarden here. The noteworthy features of the temple are a lingamsurrounded by three faces of Lord Shiva shaded by a hooded cobra, andthe idols of his consort Parvati and his vehicle, the bull Nandi.Owing to its proximity to the kund, the temple is now called KundeshvarMahadev.

Bhil Vas

Bhil Was

KasheshvarMahadev

Kheda MataMandir

Rajput Was

Bhil Basti

ShriKesulalSchool

!

Kasheshvar Mahadev:There is no historical reference is available to help date this temple. Butfor many years its maintenance and restoration was done by differentrulers of Delwara. It stands on a platform 16 steps high. Its five smallshikharas suggest that it was built for the Panch-Dev Upasana (worshipof five gods). The king of Delwara Raghodev second had restored thistemple in the month of Jeth Vikram Samvat 1984 (May-June 1927)

Kheda Mata Mandir, Bhil-Vas:This temple is sacred for the Gameti the sub-caste of the Bhil community.As part of the rituals during the lunar month of Bhadarvo (August-September) males of this community perform a traditional dance calledGauri, for which they dress in female attire.

Rishabhdev Bhagvan Temple(Jain Derasar)

Adinath /RishabhdevJain Temple

Shikar Badi/Jain Temple

Dharmashala

NeemChowk

Rajput Was

Walk End

!

Rishabhdev Bhagvan Temple(Jain Derasar)

This white marble temple, with 149 pillars and52 devalkulika (shrines to individualteerthankaras) belongs to the ShwetambarMurtipoojak (statue worshipping) sect of theJain community. The main shrine is dedicatedBhagvan Adinath, the first teerthankara. Areplica of the famous temple at Abu, it is anotable example of the craftsmanship andarchitecture of its era.

Shilalekh/Shwet Pasan Chitra Patt:This chitra patt (panel of images) has carvings of a temple, a woman anda tree with a bird. Below these is a hunter with a bow and arrow holdinga dead bird. Standing nearby are five sadhus.

Shikarbadi/Audhi:According to a book published by the Adeshvar Jain Temple, thisShikarbadi or hunting lodge, locally known as Audhi, was built by KingJasvantsinh.Jain Temple near Shikarbadi:

Section AA Ground floor Plan

First floor Plan

Second floor Plan