This temple is one of the largest temples in Patan. The temple belongs to the
Śvetāmbara sect of
Jainism. The temple is built with white marble with rich stonework with sacred carvings. The central idol is an tall marble idol of Parshvanatha is completely covered in
parikara with image of
Padmavati holding 2 lotuses in upper hand, noose in right and goad in left hand. The domical ceiling is decorated by concentric circles of figures and bands of ornament with a lotus-shaped pendant extending from the dome of the center roof. The ceiling features eight bracket figures of musicians or dancers; between these figures are seated tirthankaras with yaksha and yakshi on either side. In
Śvetāmbara tradition, idols tends to derive their name from a geographical region, the Pañcásar Parshvanath is one of 108 prominent idols of Parshvanath idols. The temple also houses an idol of
Vasupujya in
padmasan position sitting on big lotus with long stalk. The idol has images of
yakshi and
yaksha on both sides and the sculpture is covered with foliage of
Chaitya tree to commemorate the penance of Vasupujya. The temple also houses idols of Jain monk
Kakkasuri,
Devachandrasuri and
Yashodevsuri. Hemachandrayacharya Jain Gyan Mandir is an ancient library built by
Hemachandra. This library is one of the most important Jain libraries in Gujarat and the collection includes several ancient palm-leaf manuscripts. The temple also houses a paper manuscript of
Parshvanathacaritra as well as the oldest available manuscript of the
Bhaktāmara Stotra. == See also ==