Digambara Jaina Temple is a Jain temple in the city of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, located atop Khandagiri hill, a hill honeycombed by a series of rock-cut Jaina caves endowed by King Kharavela in the 1st century BCE. These rock-cut caves are under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Digambara Jain Temple History
The architectural evidence suggests that the temple was built from the ruined materials of a former temple. According to local traditions, it was built by King Kharavela of the Mahameghavahana dynasty in the 1st century BCE. That closing observation made by another opinion is just the opinion of Alexander Cunningham. According to Cunningham, the temple structure was estimated to have been built during the Maratha Empire, based on architectural design. The present temple was built in the first quarter of the 19th century.
Architecture & Design of Digambara Jain Temple
This temple is architecturally in the Pidha style with Vimana and Jaga mohan following Kalinga construction. The temple is built of Makardha stone in Ashlar way, on a triratha plan and raised tri-anga bada. The upper and lower janghas features include balustrade windows on the Vimana and Jaga Mohana, ou the Vimana plan being square and the Jagamohana rectangular.
Religious Importance
This is an important site of pilgrimage for the Digambara sect of Jainism. It is supposed that King Kharavela constructed the temple, although the present constructions were during the Maratha period in the 19th century. The temple complex is cared for by the Committee of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa Digambara Jaina Tirthankara.
Environmental and Conservation Efforts
The protection of the temple and its caves is most necessary for preserving their historical and cultural heritage. Adequate maintenance and conservation work is undertaken so as to retain the architectural grandeur and historical significance of the temple for the previous and future generations.
Economic Impact
The presence of the Digambara Jain Temple has made it the foremost tourist and pilgrim hoodie in the region, thus aiding the local economy. The tourist influx aids local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and shops selling of religious artifacts and souvenirs. It must be remembered, in this case, that the vista of tourism must not outweigh that of conservation, for otherwise the sacredness of this place along with its pristine condition will be lost.
Social Impact
Such a temple provides a center for religious and cultural activities, including festivals and events which unite the local community. It grants a sense of identity and pride to the local population, which promotes the community strongly embedded with cultural heritage.
Challenges and Trade-offs
One of the greatest issues confronting the Digambara Jain Temple is to balance between tourism and conservation-the flow of pilgrims to this temple generated income for the local communities but on the other hand, posed threats to natural resources and damage to temple structures. Addressing this challenge has become very critical and it has mandated the promotion of sustainable tourism as well as education of the prospective tourists on the need for the conservation of a site.
