In A Holy Mood....

Since remote past, Rajasthan, the only desert state of India, is known to the world as a place of amazing variety. Here the visitors arrive with great expectations and return back with a prolific mind. No doubt, the cause of their cheerfulness is hidden in the eternal existence of grand forts, supercilious palaces and monuments, and mind blowing gardens that are hovered throughout this state. Amidst the presence of royal grandeur, the visitors also enjoy a religious presence in the Jain Temples, that are present here in remarkable number. Ranakpur is one such place in Rajasthan where you will find a number of Jain temples built in and around 12th century.

Constructed during the reigning period of Rana Kumbha, these temples have placed Ranakpur in the list of five main pilgrimage destinations of Jains in India. According to historic records, Rana Kumbha donated a vast stretch of land to Dhanna Shah, thereby enabling him to turn his dream of building a great temple into reality. Nowadays, the Ranakpur Jain Temples magnetise lakhs of visitors every year from various parts of the world.

Trip to Ranakpur Jain Temple Complex

Ranakpur Jain Temples are situated 90 kms away from Udaipur, amidst serene valley of the Aravalli range. Take a drive from the ‘city of lakes’, Udaipur to the Ranakpur Jain Temples. When you reach the Jain temple complex, you will find a unique and distinguished pattern of temple architecture. The temple’s ceilings with highly adorned foliate scroll work and geometric patterns will fascinate yoy. At the top and bottom of the domes, you will find highly bedecked brackets along with the images of the deities.

Chaumukha Temple : Chaumukha Temple is the most remarkable temple amongst all temples within the Jain Temple complex. Consecrated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Adinath, this temple has four face along with a basement of 48,000 sq feet. There are four gates to enter into the sanctum. Enter inside the temple, at the main hall, you will see the image of Lord Adinath, encircled by several smaller shrines and domes. While moving throughout different sections of the temple, to your surprise, you will find here artistically adorned 4 subsidiary shrines, 24 pillared halls and 80 domes standing on the support of nearly 400 columns.

Further, you will also be amazed after observing a sum total of 1444 columns in the entire temple complex. Each of these columns is richly carved and interestingly they are different from other in their style, pattern and outlook. You will be spellbound after observing the magical change of colour of the columns from golden to pale blue with the passage of every hour during the day. This denotes the artistic dexterity of those artisans of the contemporary period. The complexity in design of the entire temple justifies that the prolonged period of 65 years was really worthy to be taken for such a grand construction.

Other Notable Temples : Two other remarkable temples worth visiting in the complex are the Patriyon Ka Mandir and Surya Narayan Temple, dedicated to Parsavanath and Sun God respectively. The former is renowned for its pierced casements studded with Jain figures and pictures of attendants of maidens. In the later one you will find an exquisite idol of Sun God, in his chariot which is drawn by seven horses. There is an another temple dedicated to Amba Mata (Mother Goddess Amba).

Visit the Ranakpur Jain Temples
Visiting the Rankpur Jain Temles was a memorable experience for me. I am quite sure that after going through my blog you have become very much interested to have a visit to Jain temples. Hence, plan a visit to Ranakpur to see the magnificent Jain Temples and soak yourself in a perfectly tranquil environment.