Most Jain temples are examples of austere calmness and amazing beauty. The overwhelming feeling for me is usually one of awe struck silence at the balance and discipline of the artists. I head for them from time to time in India just for the peace and austerity they offer.
The Parashnath Jain Temple in Kolkata is one right out of the box, a candy box perhaps or a jewellery box or a dream of Gaudi. Built by a fabulously wealthy Marwari trader, the temple is a compromise between the flashy desire of the early 20th Century Marwari, Rai Badridas Bahadoor and his more pious mother who feared her son would forget God while he indulged in worldly luxuries.
The temple is an decorated with Belgian glass, chandeliers, glittering gemstones and silver while the outer buildings are painted in wild gelato colours. You can’t take photos inside the temple but to be there in the evening is the highlight of the day as the multi coloured lights bounce and reflect their light on the many mirrored surfaces of the temple.
If the light of God is a collection of reflections then the Jain Temple Parashnath has worked a perfect compromise between worldly goods and thoughts of God.