Deogarh – a treasure trove of Jain architecture & Iconography
Main Deity – The idol of Bhagawan Shantinatha, nearly 12 feet 6 inches tall and light red in color, is seated in the Padmasana posture.
History – The name Deogarh is said to have originated from the gods themselves, dating back to the 13th century. The site is notable for its many stone inscriptions from the 8th to the 15th century, including a unique inscription in eight languages.
The Deogarh Jain Temple complex, located in the Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh, comprises 39 Digambar Jain temples dating from the 8th to the 17th century CE. This site offers a rich cultural and historical experience, housing over 2,000 idols of Jain Tirthankars, Yakshas, and Yakshis, along with carvings depicting Jain mythology. The Jain images here are primarily of the “iconographic and stylistic variety.”
The temples vary in size, age, and character, categorized into two periods: the early medieval period and the medieval period. The temples suffered extensive damage during the Islamic iconoclastic depredations, which was further compounded by overgrowth of vegetation and neglect. Since 1939, the Jain community has been managing the temples and has undertaken some restoration work.
The Shanthinath Temple stands out for its magnificent architecture, featuring idols of all 24 Yakshis adorning its outer wall. Deogarh also boasts unique elements such as various Manastambhas adorned with idols of Tirthankars and Acharya Parameshtis. The idol of Prathama Mokshagami Ananthavirya is one of the many unique aspects of Deogarh. A comprehensive exploration of the site would require at least a week for a researcher.
The architecture of the Deogarh Jain complex is notable for its over 400 carvings, recorded for their “stylistic and iconographic variety.” The intricate Jain sculptures here are comparable to those found in nearby Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and the adjoining areas of Bihar. Jain sculptures are scattered along both sides of the path from the gate and on the fort walls. A notable feature is the Manastambha, a pillar adorned with images of all 24 Tirthankaras. Images of Yakshas and Yakshinis are also part of these depictions. Thousands of sculptures are embedded in the walls surrounding the complex, and the scattered idols around the fort area suggest that this was a sculptors’ workshop.
Regular worship is still held at some of the Jain temples, with the Shantinath Temple being the most famous, built before 862 AD. This temple testifies to the prosperous Jain community that once thrived in this region.
Location – The temples are found on a hill on the banks of the river Betwa, 3 kilometers from Devgadh village. Deogarh (or Devgadh) is situated 32 kilometers from Lalitpur. Boarding and lodging are available at Devgadh.