Parsenath Jain Temple

Upon entering the Parsenath Jain Temple in Phalodi, Rajasthan, India, you climb stairs to the primary interior space on the first floor (what we would call the second story). Walls and columns are decorated with small pieces of Belgian glass. More stairs lead to the second floor from which you can look down onto the first and up to the high domed ceiling (pictured) over the atrium. The over-the-top mirrored splendor of the second floor is even more extraordinary than that of the first. We found it decorated with garlands for a festival on Dec. 19, 2013, the day my husband, Clyde, and I visited. I was blown away by the temple; Clyde thought it was gaudy and overdone but fascinating. — JANE B. HOLT, Hinesburg, VT. Photo by Clyde F. Holt