Bhandasar Jain Temple is one of Bikaner’s most beautifully decorated temples, located inside the old city. From outside it has a classic three-storey shikhara and balconies, but inside the walls and ceilings explode with colourful frescoes, floral patterns and Jain iconography—so much so that guides often ask visitors to lie down and look up to fully appreciate the ceiling paintings. The temple’s pillars and mandapa are richly carved, and the sanctum houses an idol of the 5th Tirthankara, Sumatinath. The upper floors give rooftop views over tightly packed havelis and the distant outline of Junagarh Fort.
About this place
History & highlights
The temple is traditionally dated to the 15th century, with construction credited to a Jain merchant Bhandasa Oswal under the patronage of the Bikaner rulers. Later additions and restorations continued into the 18th century, adding layers of painting and ornament. Some local legends claim that the mortar used in the temple mixed ghee instead of water, symbolically representing the merchant’s devotion and generosity—though this is more poetic than practical. Today Bhandasar remains an active place of worship for the Jain community and is protected as an important heritage monument, showcasing the role of Jain merchants in building Bikaner’s artistic identity.
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