Bikaner is home to 27 stunning Jain temples and one of the most striking of them all is the Bhandasar Jain Temple. This temple is dedicated to the fifth Tirthankara, Sumatinath and it’s so beautiful and tall that it could give the Eiffel Tower a run for its money.
Built by a Jain merchant named Bhanda Shah, this temple’s foundation was filled with pure ghee and dry coconuts. That’s right, you heard it correctly – GHEE! That’s why this temple is also known as the Butter Temple, and trust me, it’s not because they serve butter here.
This three-storey temple is made of red sandstone and adorned with beautiful wall paintings and usta art. You can climb to the topmost floor of this temple and enjoy a stunning view of the Bikaner skyline. But, that’s not even the most interesting part of the temple. Locals believe that the temple was made with 40,000 kilograms of ghee instead of mortar, which they insist seeps through the walls on hot days. So, be prepared for some slippery floors if you visit during the summer!
The Bhandasar Jain Temple is also known for its exquisite leaf paintings, frescoes, and ornamental mirror work. The walls are decorated with illustrations depicting the lives of the 24 tirthankaras. You’ll find yourself in awe of the beautiful yellow-stone carvings on the walls and pillars of the sanctum and mandapa.