Bhandasar Jain Temple

Bhandasar Jain Temple in Bikaner is one of the finest Jain temples in Rajasthan, built in the 15th century by a wealthy merchant named Bhandasa Oswal. The temple is dedicated to Sumatinath, the fifth Tirthankara of Jainism. What makes Bhandasar exceptional is the extraordinary quality of its interior decoration: the walls, ceilings, and pillars are covered in gold leaf paintings and frescoes depicting scenes from Jain mythology, the lives of the Tirthankaras, and celestial landscapes. The gold leaf work is said to have required over 40,000 kilograms of ghee mixed into the mortar during construction, a tradition believed to bring divine auspiciousness. The mirror and glass inlay work throughout the interior creates a jewel-box effect that is among the most opulent in any religious building in Rajasthan. The temple's five-storey structure also offers views over the rooftops of old Bikaner from its upper terraces.