Ranakpur Jain Temple, Pali Rajasthan
About Ranakpur:
Ranakpur is a village near Sadri town in the Pali district of Rajasthan in western India. It is located between Jodhpur and Udaipur, in a valley on the western side of the Aravalli Range. Ranakpur is easily accessed by road from Udaipur and Jodhpur. Ranakpur is widely known for its marble Jain temple, and for a much older Sun Temple which lies opposite the former.
Ranakpur Jain Temples:
Ranakpur Jain temples are situated in the mountain ranges of Pali district. They are approximately 23 km from the Phalna railway station. Dating back to the 15th century, the Jain temples of Ranakpur were constructed by Rana Kumbha. Enclosing the temples from all the sides is a strong wall. The entire temple area is enclosed within a wall. The main temple is the Chamukha temple, dedicated to the Tirthankara Rishabdeoji. This temple has contains a four-faced statue of Rishabdeoji in its inner sanctum. Also, enclosed in the temples are four subsidiary shrines, 24 pillared-halls and 8 domes supported by over 400 columns. The most fascinating feature of the temples is its columns. There are 1,444 intricately carved columns, of which not even two are the same. The shrine also has a corridor around it, containing niches for tirthankara images, each having its own spire. In the temple, are images of Adinath (north west), Parshvanath (north east), Ajitnath (south-east) and Lord Mahavir Swami (south west). The assembly hall contains two big bells weighing around 108kg. Also, at a height of 45 feet, there are artistically carved images of nymphs playing the flute in various dance postures. Facing the main temple is a small shrine dedicated to Prashvanath. In the inner sanctum of this shrine, is a black image of the Prashvanath. Ranakpur complex is one of the biggest and most important Jain temples in India, the extremely beautiful. Ranakpur is located about 56 miles north of Udaipur.
History and Architecture:
Ranakpur is one of the five holiest places of the Jain community and spectacular in architecture. It is probably the most complex and extensive of Jain temples in India. The Ranakpur Jain Temple were built under the reign of monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century and is the largest Jain temple in India. The main temple here is the Chaurnukha Temple, or Four Faced Temple. this temple is dedicated to Adinath, the first tirthankar. The sheer immensity and the graceful appeal of the main temple leaves the onlooker mesmerized. Built in 1439,this huge, beautifully crafted and well kept marble temple has 29 halls supported by1444 pillars, no two of which are similar. The interiors are embellished with carvings of Jain saviors, plant and floral motifs. Within the complex are two other Jain temples- to Neminath and Parasnath - and, a little distance away, a Sun Temple. "The Amba Mata Temple". The entire complex is beautifully planned so that all the courtyards within the temple open out to the bare sky.
Best Time to Visit:
The magnificent temple of Ranakpur and the surrounding areas can be visited in a time span of 2-3 days. The ideal time for visit would be between October to March. The climate of Ranakpur is tropical with the mercury climbing up to a maximum of around 42°C and a minimum of around 22°C. Winters are only a little colder with a maximum of around 20°C and a minimum of around 11°C. The annual total rainfall is around 55 centimeters. Winter months (October-March) are the best for visiting this place.
How to Reach:
By Air: The nearest airport is Udaipur 60 km south of Ranakpur. There are regular flights to Delhi, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Jodhpur, and Mumbai from Udaipur.
By Rail: The nearest major railway station is Udaipur. There are trains for Delhi, Chittaurgarh, Ajmer, and Jaipur from this station. The nearest railway station from Ranakpur is Phalna but most of the tourists prefer going to Udaipur to catch a train as it offers more choice.
By Road: There are frequent express buses from Udaipur that take around three hours to reach Ranakpur. State transport corporation buses as well as private buses connect Udaipur to other cities in the region. Major destinations that are connected to Udaipur are Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Jodhpur, Chittaurgarh, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Mt Abu.
The example of the most exquisitely carved temples of Rajasthan is, undoubtedly, the Dilwara Jain temples of Mount Abu and probably has no match all over India. These Jain temples are listed among the most beautiful and finest Jain temples worldwide for their extraordinarily impeccable architectural style. Thus, Mount Abu marks the principal place of pilgrimage for Jains in India. Built in marvelous marble, the Dilwara temples were constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries. Plus, the ornamented marble stone carvings all over delight each visitor paying a trip. The five imposing and magnificent temples of Dilwara are Vimal Vasahi, Luna Vasahi, Pithalhar, Khartar Vasahi, and Mahaveer Swami Temple. The temples are almost covered by shady mango groves and have beautiful gardens laid out in the temple complexes. The excellent soothing and serene aura fills in eternal peace in oneself. When inside the temple complex, the picturesque background of Mt. Abu hills renders the entire area a spiritual feel.The most famous of the Dilwara temples are the divine Vimal Vasahi Temple which is dedicated to Adinathji the 1st Tirthankar of the Jains, and Luna Vasahi Temple, dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankar Neminathji. The temples are built in the Nagara and Dravidian styles of architecture. Vimal Vasahi Temple was constructed by Vimal Shah, a rich Jain merchant and minister. The immense contribution to Jain architecture was made by Vastupala and Tejpala, local ministers at Mount Abu. Almost the entire structure of the Dilwara temples is heavily ornamented with exquisite carvings and not even a single wall, pillar, or ceiling can be found bare. These intricately carved ceilings and pillars are simply phenomenal. Surprisingly, all this extraordinary work has been done in the time when no transportation medium was available. Devotees and priests perform regular prayers here and for the same, specific bathing and dressing areas are also assigned.
The other three principal Dilwara Jain temples are Pittalhar Temple, Parsavanath Temple, and Mahavir Swami Temple. The idol of the first Jain tirthankar, Sri Adinathji is rested at Pittalhar and is built from five metals, thereby denoting the name of the temple. This temple was constructed by Bhima Shah, a minister. Parsavnath Temple has the tallest shikhara amongst all the five temples of Dilwara. It was constructed by Mandika clan between the years 1458-1459 AD. All the Dilwara temples are synonymous to an art gallery with some astoundingly and magnificently carved pillars, roofs, and walls. The Dilwara temples not only attract Jain pilgrims but also people from across all religions and beyond the country, who are bewitched by the beauty and serenity of the temples. They are one of the best centers to dive into divine devotion amid the laps of exceptionally angelic natural ambience.
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