Papora

Papora (also Papoura), five kilometres south of Tikam garh, is another popular destination for Digambara pilgrims. During late me dieval time it was a site of vigorous temple building. By combining old and new cle- ments a rather pleasing type of temple emerged .

The tower, retaining its conical shape, now rested upon a superimposed two-storeyed shrine that showed typical features of Rajput architecture. In all a successful blending of two styles. Influenced by the way Muslim mosques were build, the ground floor now resembled a prayer-hall rather than a temple of old.

At the same time the art of figurative sculpture, that had reached impressive heights during previous centuries, continued to decline. But again it should be recalled that the hired builders and stonemasons were no Jainas but members of respective Hindu castes. This is true to the present day.

 (belone), Papora, a small ‘city’ of temples. The long flat-roofed building is a dharmashala. The pillars in front, which lack the elegance of the traditional manustambhas, are recent additions.

Niche with Jina in one of Papora’s temples Not necessarily representative of the large range of sculptures found at this site.