The state of Gujarat and its capital city Ahmedabad are among the biggest centers of development of Jainism in the world. Jainism became popular in the region in the 17th century
and since then it has the biggest population of Jains in the country.
Given the immense popularity of the religion in the region, many Jain temples were established in the city between the 17th and the 19th century. The Hutheesing Jain Temple is a grand example of the architecture of those days and the dedication with which the craftsmen of the day worked towards building places of worship.
The city of Ahmedabad is marked with a number of Jain Temples and almost all of them are majestic and extravagant. In my short trip to the city of Ahmedabad, I regret that I have time only for the best. I decided to visit the Hutheesing Temple because of its rich history and extraordinary architecture. It was the most picturesque of all temples in the city and I am a photography enthusiast. I could not miss an opportunity like this to bring to life the walls, pillars and artisanship of the Hutheesing Jain Temple.
The love for the almighty is reflected in the selfless hard work that thousands of artisans put into building a temple as vast and immense as Hutheesing in the 1840’s when modern building techniques were
virtually absent in our country. Each engraving is a unique piece of art and reflects a certain sentiment associated with human life. The core of the Jain religion is selflessness, harmony and
respect for all living beings. This sentiment is deeply absorbed in the Hutheesing temple and almost resonates in its immenseness.
The most attractive architectural features of the temple which I captured to the best of my ability were the Kirti Stambh located centrally, the Front Facade and the Four Pillared Main Entrance. The 52 Devakulikas are also a center of attraction for tourists. The Kirti Stambh itself took around 18 months to complete and cost around rupees 3 lakhs in those days. The cost of Hutheesing Temple can only be estimated in today’s day but in fact its grandeur extends way beyond its mere cost.