Temple Hanging

The Digambara Jain panel depicts two important Jain concepts, namely (at the bottom) a tirthankara's mother watching the 16 auspicious dreams before his birth, and (on top) Samavasarana (celestial preaching hall) for the tirthankara to preach the universe after attaining enlightenment. The dream images are(clockwise): elephant, bull, lion, Sridevi, pair of garlands, moon, sun, pair of fish, full vase, celestial lake, agitated ocean, lion-throne, vimana, palace of cobra, heap of jewels and smokeless fire.
According to Jain belief,Samavasarana is created by gods after his omniscience. The construction comprises three concentric circles in the center of which the jina sits to preach. The hall is reachable by four gateways installed at four main cardinal points. In most painted versions one notices depiction of predator and prey such as a snake and mongoose, cow and lion, gull and fish, etc., to show that all beings come to listen to the jina leaving behind their traditional animosity.
The Gujarati inscription below reads: "Dedicated by DoshiMaganlalAmichand to the Digambara Jaina temple of Lakroda in V.S. 1988”(1931 AD)