The V&A has one of the most important permanent collections of Jain art in the UK, including remarkable sculptures and paintings.
Jainism
Jainism, one of the three major religions of early India, has been continuously practised since around the middle of the first millennium BC.
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The Jain Faith
The four ancient Indian religious traditions of Jainism, Ajivikism, Buddhism and Hinduism developed in South Asia over a period of more than a thousand years.
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Jainism: The story of Mahavira
Mahavira is believed by Jains to be the most recent of the 24 Jinas (liberated beings) and is thought to have lived in the 6th century BC
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Jainism: Jinas and other deities
Jinas and many other deities and divinities are portrayed in Jain art
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The Jain Temple
Jain religious monuments are among the oldest and most ornate edifices erected in India
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Jainism: Patrons and donors
The commissioning of images showing yogic virtues was an important aspect of the devotional activity of the lay community
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Jain festivals
Religious festivals play an important part in the Jain community, providing a focus for communal celebration and an opportunity to show devotion and gain merit
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Jain pilgrimage
The most popular pilgrimage places in India are due to their historic associations and their significance in terms of faith, devotion, art and architecture
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Jainism today
Today there are some 6 million Jains worldwide, representing less than 2% of India's population. The Jain community in India is centred in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
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Indian Temple Sculpture
This innovative book, illustrated with the V&A's unrivalled collection of South-Asian sculpture, looks at Indian temple sculpture in context, as a…
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