File:Nandisvara dvipa temple, Satrunjaya Palitana.jpg

English: Palitana is a major and important collections of Jain temples found in Gujarat. These temples group (Tuk) belong to the Svetambara tradition of Jainism. The original and chief temple for Rishabhanath is near the west end of the collection, and can be traced to the mid 10th-century. Other temples were added over time by wealthy Jain merchants. According to inscriptions, these temples, including the Rishabhanatha temple were rebuilt and restored many times. The 7th restoration of the Rishabhanatha temple, for example was completed in the 16th-century (1530 CE). In addition to the Rishabhanatha temple, Palitana has many temples dedicated to different Tirthankaras of Jainism. The above Chaumukh (four faced) temple is found in the Nandisvara-dvipa Tuk, along the northern ridge.

• Above is the floor plan of the Nandisvara-dvipa temple found on the southern part of the north ridge.
• This temple was completed in 1840 CE by the family of Nagar Seth.
• It follows the square and circle principle found in historic Sanskrit texts. However, the space and relative positions of the squares with idols therein, reflect the Jain mythology (Ashtapada, Satrunjaya, Meru Sikhara, Sameta Sikhara and Samosarana). This innovative design where form and function was brilliantly fused with Jain theology, was copied by later Jain temples such as in the Vimalavasi Tuk.
• For a scholarly secondary source, see James Ferguson, History of Indian and Eastern Architecture, John Murray Publishers, London, pages 27–30.
• This relative scale and relative dimensions in this architectural drawing are close to the actual temple. It is based, in part, on the floor plan print published in 1910 by James Ferguson. The plan illustrates the design and layout, but some intricate details are not shown for clarity. It shows close approximations and rounding, where exact measurements were not feasible.

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