Ranakpur
Ranakpur is a small town situated in the Pali district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. This small town nestling in the wooded valleys of Aravali Hills is chiefly known for the exquisitely beautiful Jain temples with their unbelievably lovely architecture.
Ranakpur is said to derive its name from the Rajput ruler Rana Kumbha, who gave a large stretch of land deep in the heart of the valleys of Aravali to the Jains for the construction of temples. Located 96 km from Udaipur on the Udaipur - Jodhpur highway Ranakpur is one of the five important holy places of the Jains in India. These five hundred year old temples are well preserved and in near-perfect condition.
The most important temple here is the Ranakpur Jain Temple also known as Chaumukha Temple, dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain Thirthankara. This three storeyed temple, spread over an area of more than four thousand square feet has twenty nine halls, eighty domes and thousand four hundred and forty four pillars which are uniquely different, each with its own intricate carving. The exquisitely carved nymphs in various dance postures playing the flute at a height of 45 feet are remarkable.
The temple complex houses other temple too like The Hindu Sun temple, dedicated to the Sun God, Surya and the Parasvanath and Neminath temples, honoring two Jain saints, Parasvanath and Neminath. Just 8 km away is Sadri, a small town famous for its beautiful temples and an old dargah of Khudabaksh Baba. Nearby places like Desuri, and Ghanerao also abound in temples of great architectural beauty.
The renowned Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is just 50 kms of travel and is a very popular tourist destination.
Ranakpur is said to derive its name from the Rajput ruler Rana Kumbha, who gave a large stretch of land deep in the heart of the valleys of Aravali to the Jains for the construction of temples. Located 96 km from Udaipur on the Udaipur - Jodhpur highway Ranakpur is one of the five important holy places of the Jains in India. These five hundred year old temples are well preserved and in near-perfect condition.
The most important temple here is the Ranakpur Jain Temple also known as Chaumukha Temple, dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain Thirthankara. This three storeyed temple, spread over an area of more than four thousand square feet has twenty nine halls, eighty domes and thousand four hundred and forty four pillars which are uniquely different, each with its own intricate carving. The exquisitely carved nymphs in various dance postures playing the flute at a height of 45 feet are remarkable.
The temple complex houses other temple too like The Hindu Sun temple, dedicated to the Sun God, Surya and the Parasvanath and Neminath temples, honoring two Jain saints, Parasvanath and Neminath. Just 8 km away is Sadri, a small town famous for its beautiful temples and an old dargah of Khudabaksh Baba. Nearby places like Desuri, and Ghanerao also abound in temples of great architectural beauty.
The renowned Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is just 50 kms of travel and is a very popular tourist destination.
